Aug 31, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Frozen Crustaceans – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The demand for frozen crustaceans in the European Union is on the rise, leading to a predicted upward consumption trend in the market. With an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% in volume and +1.2% in value from 2024 to 2035, the market is expected to continue its expansion, reaching significant milestones by the end of the forecast period.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for frozen crustaceans in the European Union, 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 +0.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 698K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.6B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Frozen Crustaceans
In 2024, consumption of frozen crustaceans decreased by -1.9% to 633K tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The volume of consumption peaked at 671K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The size of the frozen crustaceans market in the European Union shrank slightly to $4.9B in 2024, reducing by -2% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $5.7B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Spain (167K tons), France (114K tons) and Italy (100K tons), together accounting for 60% of total consumption. Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Greece (with a CAGR of +12.5%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest frozen crustaceans markets in the European Union were Spain ($1.3B), France ($857M) and Italy ($821M), with a combined 59% share of the total market. Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Greece and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.
Among the main consuming countries, Greece, with a CAGR of +8.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of frozen crustaceans per capita consumption in 2024 were Spain (3.5 kg per person), Portugal (2.7 kg per person) and Belgium (2.2 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Greece (with a CAGR of +12.9%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Frozen Crustaceans
In 2024, approx. 213K tons of frozen crustaceans were produced in the European Union; picking up by 5% compared with the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak volume in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
In value terms, frozen crustaceans production expanded notably to $1.8B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Spain (60K tons), Poland (55K tons) and the Netherlands (25K tons), together comprising 66% of total production. Denmark, Belgium, Estonia and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Estonia (with a CAGR of +5.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Frozen Crustaceans
In 2024, supplies from abroad of frozen crustaceans decreased by -2.7% to 709K tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at 765K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, frozen crustaceans imports declined modestly to $5.5B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $6.5B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Spain (154K tons), France (122K tons), Italy (101K tons), the Netherlands (68K tons), Denmark (65K tons), Belgium (50K tons), Germany (38K tons) and Portugal (31K tons) represented the main importer of frozen crustaceans in the European Union, achieving 89% of total import.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +6.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Spain ($1.1B), France ($960M) and Italy ($847M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together accounting for 53% of total imports. The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.
In terms of the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +5.9%, saw the highest growth rate of 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
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $7,779 per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $8,992 per ton. From 2015 to 2024, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($10,006 per ton), while Denmark ($5,427 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Frozen Crustaceans
In 2024, the amount of frozen crustaceans exported in the European Union stood at 290K tons, leveling off at the previous year’s figure. Total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -1.2% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 18%. The volume of export peaked at 293K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, frozen crustaceans exports totaled $2.5B in 2024. Total exports indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -3.8% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $2.6B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
Denmark (72K tons), the Netherlands (58K tons), Spain (48K tons) and Belgium (37K tons) represented roughly 74% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by France (15K tons) and Germany (14K tons), together committing a 10% share of total exports. The following exporters – Estonia (13K tons) and Portugal (10K tons) – each reached a 7.9% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest frozen crustaceans supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($553M), Spain ($475M) and Denmark ($458M), together comprising 59% of total exports.
The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +8.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The export price in the European Union stood at $8,726 per ton in 2024, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 11%. The level of export peaked at $9,054 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($13,014 per ton), while Estonia ($4,016 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.