Sep 2, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: U.S. – Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved) – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The sardine market in the United States is expected to see a rise in consumption, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.6% in volume and +1.1% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is predicted to reach 157K tons, with a market value of $551M in nominal prices.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for sardines (prepared or preserved) in the United States, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 157K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $551M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited States’s Consumption of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, consumption of sardines (prepared or preserved) increased by 2.4% to 146K tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the consumption volume increased by 2.9%. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
The value of the preserved sardines market in the United States rose modestly to $486M in 2024, growing by 3.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +3.9% against 2021 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $501M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
ProductionUnited States’s Production of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, approx. 105K tons of sardines (prepared or preserved) were produced in the United States; remaining constant against the year before. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 with an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. Preserved sardines production peaked at 116K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, preserved sardines production stood at $374M in 2024. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production increased by +3.3% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $415M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
ImportsUnited States’s Imports of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, approx. 42K tons of sardines (prepared or preserved) were imported into the United States; surging by 8.8% on 2023. Overall, total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -2.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 43K tons. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, preserved sardines imports rose significantly to $205M in 2024. In general, total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +51.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Imports By Country
Morocco (9.5K tons), Poland (9.1K tons) and Ecuador (5.1K tons) were the main suppliers of preserved sardines imports to the United States, together accounting for 57% of total imports. Thailand, China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +10.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Morocco ($66M), Poland ($52M) and Thailand ($16M) appeared to be the largest preserved sardines suppliers to the United States, together accounting for 66% of total imports. Canada, Vietnam, Ecuador, the Philippines and China lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.
In terms of the main suppliers, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +10.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average preserved sardines import price stood at $4,911 per ton in 2024, with an increase of 4.5% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($9,913 per ton), while the price for China ($1,119 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited States’s Exports of Sardines (Prepared Or Preserved)
In 2024, the amount of sardines (prepared or preserved) exported from the United States surged to 162 tons, increasing by 81% compared with the previous year. In general, exports, however, recorded a dramatic descent. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at 2.5K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, preserved sardines exports soared to $816K in 2024. Overall, exports, however, saw a deep contraction. The exports peaked at $2.7M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Mexico (41 tons), Japan (33 tons) and Cuba (26 tons) were the main destinations of preserved sardines exports from the United States, together accounting for 62% of total exports. Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Aruba lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Panama (with a CAGR of +21.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Mexico ($211K), Japan ($180K) and Canada ($157K) were the largest markets for preserved sardines exported from the United States worldwide, with a combined 67% share of total exports. The Dominican Republic, Panama, Cuba and Aruba lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.
In terms of the main countries of destination, Panama, with a CAGR of +29.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average preserved sardines export price amounted to $5,054 per ton, surging by 2.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 189%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $5,762 per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($8,795 per ton), while the average price for exports to Cuba ($1,803 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (+34.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.