Apr 24, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The UK frozen, dried, and smoked fish market is set to experience steady growth over the next decade, with both market volume and value projected to increase. With an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for volume and +3.4% for value, the market is expected to reach 646K tons and $4.9B respectively by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for frozen, dried and smoked fish in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 646K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $4.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish
In 2024, consumption of frozen, dried and smoked fish decreased by -0.9% to 551K tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 579K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the market for frozen, dried and smoked fish in the UK reduced modestly to $3.4B in 2024, dropping by -4.4% 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). In general, the total consumption indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -14.2% against 2022 indices. Frozen, dried and smoked fish consumption peaked at $4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
Consumption By Type
Frozen fish fillet (316K tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, accounting for 71% of total volume. Moreover, frozen fish fillet exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen crustaceans (59K tons), fivefold. Dried or smoked fish (51K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of frozen fish fillet consumption amounted to +1.8%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (+4.2% per year) and dried or smoked fish (+1.2% per year).
In value terms, frozen fish fillet ($1.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by frozen crustaceans ($568M). It was followed by dried or smoked fish.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of frozen fish fillet market amounted to +4.4%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (+3.5% per year) and dried or smoked fish (+3.8% per year).
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish
In 2024, approx. 443K tons of frozen, dried and smoked fish were produced in the UK; picking up by 2.1% against the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 8.7%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 452K tons. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, frozen, dried and smoked fish production contracted to $2.1B in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $2.6B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production By Type
Frozen fish fillet (176K tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, comprising approx. 52% of total volume. Moreover, frozen fish fillet exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen whole fish (83K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by dried or smoked fish (50K tons), with a 15% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of frozen fish fillet production amounted to +3.7%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen whole fish (-6.0% per year) and dried or smoked fish (+2.1% per year).
In value terms, the most produced types of frozen, dried and smoked fish in the UK were frozen fish fillet ($916M), dried or smoked fish ($543M) and frozen crustaceans ($250M), with a combined 90% share of the total output.
In terms of the main produced products, frozen fish fillet, with a CAGR of +6.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish
In 2024, overseas purchases of frozen, dried and smoked fish increased by 1.7% to 265K tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 10%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 295K tons. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, frozen, dried and smoked fish imports contracted slightly to $1.8B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 14%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $1.9B. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
China (60K tons), Norway (34K tons) and Vietnam (28K tons) were the main suppliers of frozen, dried and smoked fish imports to the UK, together comprising 46% of total imports. Iceland, India, Russia, the United States, Ecuador, Turkey, Myanmar, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +17.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, China ($321M), Norway ($206M) and Iceland ($187M) constituted the largest frozen, dried and smoked fish suppliers to the UK, with a combined 40% share of total imports. Vietnam, India, Turkey, Russia, Ecuador, the United States, Denmark, Myanmar, the Netherlands and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.
Turkey, with a CAGR of +19.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
In 2024, frozen fish fillet (147K tons) constituted the largest type of frozen, dried and smoked fish supplied to the UK, accounting for a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen fish fillet exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen whole fish (59K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by frozen crustaceans (49K tons), with an 18% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of frozen fish fillet imports totaled -1.2%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen whole fish (+2.2% per year) and frozen crustaceans (+0.5% per year).
In value terms, frozen fish fillet ($1B) constituted the largest type of frozen, dried and smoked fish supplied to the UK, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by frozen crustaceans ($444M), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by frozen whole fish, with a 13% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of frozen fish fillet imports amounted to +2.1%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (-0.5% per year) and frozen whole fish (+4.6% per year).
Import Prices By Type
The average import price for frozen, dried and smoked fish stood at $6,794 per ton in 2024, with a decrease of -3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 16% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $7,628 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was dried or smoked fish ($11,567 per ton), while the price for frozen fish meat ($3,215 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by dried or smoked fish (+6.8%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average import price for frozen, dried and smoked fish amounted to $6,794 per ton, with a decrease of -3.2% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 16%. The import price peaked at $7,628 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
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 Turkey ($10,994 per ton), while the price for Myanmar ($4,304 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+5.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Frozen, Dried And Smoked Fish
In 2024, overseas shipments of frozen, dried and smoked fish increased by 14% to 156K tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 249K tons. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, frozen, dried and smoked fish exports reached $492M in 2024. Overall, exports, however, saw a noticeable slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $744M. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
The Netherlands (25K tons), France (13K tons) and Lithuania (13K tons) were the main destinations of frozen, dried and smoked fish exports from the UK, with a combined 33% share of total exports. Nigeria, Japan, Vietnam, the United States, Ukraine, the Philippines, China, Germany, Spain and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Philippines (with a CAGR of +35.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, France ($84M), the Netherlands ($64M) and the United States ($30M) constituted the largest markets for frozen, dried and smoked fish exported from the UK worldwide, together comprising 36% of total exports. Lithuania, Spain, Japan, China, Vietnam, Germany, Ukraine, Nigeria, Ireland and the Philippines lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.
In terms of the main countries of destination, the Philippines, with a CAGR of +38.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Frozen whole fish (126K tons) was the largest type of frozen, dried and smoked fish exported from the UK, accounting for a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen whole fish exceeded the volume of the second product type, frozen crustaceans (12K tons), tenfold. Frozen fish meat (12K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.2% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of frozen whole fish exports amounted to -1.4%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (-5.6% per year) and frozen fish meat (+6.1% per year).
In value terms, frozen whole fish ($261M) remains the largest type of frozen, dried and smoked fish exported from the UK, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by frozen crustaceans ($126M), with a 25% share of total exports. It was followed by dried or smoked fish, with a 12% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of frozen whole fish exports amounted to +1.4%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: frozen crustaceans (-5.0% per year) and dried or smoked fish (-4.1% per year).
Export Prices By Type
In 2024, the average export price for frozen, dried and smoked fish amounted to $3,145 per ton, reducing by -3.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $3,893 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In 2024, the product with the highest price was frozen crustaceans ($10,274 per ton), while the average price for exports of frozen fish meat ($2,047 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: frozen whole fish (+2.9%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average export price for frozen, dried and smoked fish amounted to $3,145 per ton, which is down by -3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $3,893 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($6,778 per ton), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($960 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 the Netherlands (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.