United States Seafood Market

United States Seafood Market Size and Share:

The United States seafood market size was valued at USD 24.4 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 28.5 Million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 1.82% from 2025-2033. The market is driven by increasing consumer awareness of seafood's health benefits, including high protein and omega-3 content. Growing demand for sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood reflects heightened environmental consciousness. Additionally, rising disposable incomes and the expansion of e-commerce platforms contribute to the accessibility and convenience of purchasing fresh and processed seafood products.

The seafood market in the United States is driven by increasing consumer awareness of the health benefits, such as high protein content, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients, associated with seafood consumption. As health-conscious eating trends grow, more Americans are incorporating seafood into their diets. This trend is further fueled by expanding culinary diversity and the popularity of global cuisines that prominently feature seafood. Additionally, advancements in aquaculture and sustainable fishing practices have enhanced the availability and accessibility of fresh and high-quality seafood, catering to growing consumer demands while addressing environmental concerns. On 30^th July 2024, The U.S., with USAID, collaborated with SEAFDEC on a five-year initiative to enhance fisheries and aquaculture management in the Indo-Pacific. The USAID Southeast Asia Fisheries Partnership targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, sustainability, and the strengthening of governance and capacity in national and local stakeholders, supporting biodiversity conservation as well as local communities.

The rising disposable income of American households is leading to increased spending on premium food products, including sustainably sourced seafood. In addition, retailers and restaurants are responding by offering an expanded variety of fresh, frozen, and ready-to-cook options, meeting consumer preferences for convenience and variety. Moreover, the growth of e-commerce platforms has streamlined seafood distribution, making it easier for consumers to purchase fresh and exotic seafood from the comfort of their homes. Concurrently, government regulations supporting sustainable practices and traceability have further bolstered consumer confidence in seafood products, contributing to market growth. On 22^nd April 2024, The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched the USDA agribusiness trade mission in New Delhi to expand on the U.S.-India agricultural trade. The 47 leading representatives from U.S. agribusinesses include fisheries, to capitalize on the rapidly growing market in India following the recent cuts on tariffs placed on U.S. products including poultry, fruits, and tree nuts, for enhanced bilateral trade relations.

United States Seafood Market Trends:

Rising Demand for Plant-Based and Alternative Seafood Products

The U.S. seafood market is witnessing a rise in demand for plant-based and lab-grown seafood alternatives. These products cater to consumers seeking sustainable and ethical food options, as well as those with dietary restrictions or environmental concerns. Innovations in food technology are enabling companies to create realistic substitutes that mimic the texture and flavor of traditional seafood, appealing to flexitarians and vegetarians. This trend is particularly strong among younger demographics, who are more likely to adopt eco-conscious eating habits. On 13^th November 2024, Stronger America Through Seafood, or SATS, launched a month-long campaign encouraging U.S. federal lawmakers to support offshore finfish farming. Emphasizing open ocean aquaculture as an eco-friendly source of protein, SATS stresses the necessity of federal legislation to unlock this industry's potential and points to growth in the economy, job creation, and security in the domestic seafood supply chain as some of the key benefits. Moreover, the growing availability of these products in mainstream retail outlets and restaurants further underscores their rising popularity, with brands heavily investing in marketing to promote their environmental and health benefits.

Technological Advancements in Seafood Supply Chain

Technological innovations are transforming the U.S. seafood market size by enhancing efficiency and transparency in the supply chain. Blockchain technology is increasingly being adopted to ensure traceability and authenticity of seafood products, addressing concerns about fraud and mislabeling. Additionally, advancements in cold-chain logistics are improving the transportation of perishable seafood and maintaining freshness and quality from source to consumer. Automation in processing and packaging is also gaining momentum, helping producers meet growing demand while reducing labor costs. These innovations enable seafood suppliers to build trust with consumers by ensuring sustainability, safety, and quality, thereby driving market growth and consumer loyalty. On 23^rd January 2024, Symbrosia, a Hawaii-based startup with a focus on cutting the methane spewed out by livestock through seaweed-based animal feed, has won a Small Business Innovation Research grant of US 1 Million from the US National Science Foundation. The fund will be used to develop and automate tools to enhance their Asparagopsis seaweed farm at NELHA.

Increasing Popularity of Seafood-Based Convenience Foods

The growing preference for convenience foods has led to the rise of seafood-based ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare products. Busy lifestyles and time constraints have driven consumers toward pre-packaged meals, frozen seafood options, and value-added products such as marinated fillets or breaded shrimp. Brands are innovating to cater to these preferences by offering portion-controlled, microwavable, and pre-seasoned seafood options that require minimal preparation. On 21^st March 2024, Aquamar of Rancho Cucamonga, California, unveiled its "Shellfish Innovations" line at Seafood Expo North America 2024, a line of ready-to-eat dishes with inspirations in Italian and Spanish cuisines. Its range features Wild Red Shrimp in Lobster Sauce and Albariño Mussels with White Wine. CEO Daryl Gormley emphasized that it has a lot of focus on convenience to promote more consumption of seafood in the United States and assist retailers in building up their seafood sales. This trend aligns with the broader consumer shift towards convenient yet healthy eating choices, making seafood an attractive option. Retailers are increasingly dedicating shelf space to these products, while manufacturers are introducing creative flavor profiles to appeal to a diverse range of tastes.

United States Seafood Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the United States seafood market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on type, form, and distribution channel.

Analysis by Type:

• Fish
• Shrimps
• Others

Fish leads the market with around 63.0% of the market share in 2024, driven by its widespread popularity and nutritional value. Fish is an attractive source of versatile protein. Thus, health-conscious consumers are drawn to it through its omega-3 fatty acids, lean proteins, and a lot of required vitamins. Popular species such as salmon, tuna, cod, and tilapia remain in high demand, as their ease of access, preparation, and compatibility in most cuisines contribute to steady demand. Besides, growing consumer awareness of seafood-related health advantages also contributes positively to fish sales. Its market leadership becomes more evident based on the company's strong distribution and presence across retail and food service channels given the fact that consumers value fresh, frozen, and processed fish products.

Analysis by Form:

• Fresh/Chilled
• Frozen/Canned
• Processed

Frozen/canned leads the market with around 42.8% of the market share in 2024, driven by its convenience, affordability, and extended shelf life. They come in very appealing ready-to-cook or long-lasting meal forms that won't compromise the taste and nutritional values. Products including frozen shrimp, salmon, or canned tuna top the popularity chart due to the ease in their storage and availability at much lesser prices compared to their fresh counterpart counterparts. Additionally, advancements in freezing and canning technologies have improved taste and nutritional preservation, making these options more appealing. With strong availability in retail channels and wide consumer acceptance, the frozen and canned seafood segment continues to dominate the market.

Analysis by Distribution Channel:

• Off Trade
• On Trade

Off trade leads the market in 2024. Off-trade accounts for one of the biggest distribution channels, and it mainly covers all retail channels: supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online shops. It mainly supplies consumers cooking at home with fresh, frozen, and processed products. Due to the e-commerce growth, it has managed to open channels to a tremendous assortment of seafood, all supported by very strong cold-chain logistics. Supermarkets enhance consumer experience with seafood counters and sustainable sourcing labels, appealing to health-conscious and environmentally aware shoppers.

Regional Analysis:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West

The Northeast region dominates the market, driven by its rich coastal waters, established fishing industry, and strong seafood culture. It is renowned for seafood hubs such as Maine and Massachusetts. The region is marked by the presence of high-demand products, such as lobster, clams, scallops, and cod. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provides a constant source of fresh seafood, which ensures local consumption and national distribution. The Northeast also has a long history of seafood dining, with clam chowder and lobster rolls being some of the most iconic dishes that further solidify its leadership in the market. This strong sea food heritage along with export activity together with high home demand positions the Northeast as a pivot of the sea food industry for the United States.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the market is characterized by innovation, sustainability initiatives, and strategic expansion. Top players in the market are seeking to upgrade their product lines with higher quality and value-added products, such as marinated or pre-cooked seafood, that could respond to changes in consumer preference. Several companies are targeting environment-conscious buyers with sustainable sourcing and related certifications. Moreover, investment in advanced processing technologies and efficient distribution networks is helping brands preserve quality and extend market reach. Marketing strategies such as collaboration with retailers and targeted advertising campaigns are also becoming a significant component in strengthening their competitive positions.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the United States seafood market with detailed profiles of all major companies.

Latest News and Developments:

• August 12, 2024: The largest seafood producer in the US, especially of wild Alaska pollock and hake, revamped its grant program to be known as the American Seafoods Community Partnership Program. Based in Seattle, the program provides USD 150,000 a year—or almost double what it once funded—to support food security and community projects in Western Alaska, whose grants will be provided twice a year.
• July 17, 2024: Beaver Street Fisheries, a leading U.S. seafood distributor, collaborated with iFoodDS to develop a proof-of-concept project that enhances seafood supply chain traceability. Utilizing the iFoodDS Trace Exchange™ and IBM Food Trust™ platforms, the initiative is designed to be FSMA 204 compliant while increasing transparency and safety. In collaboration with Wholechain and ThisFish, the project will simplify data sharing and improve interoperability for suppliers.
• February 28, 2024: Captain Fresh, an India-based seafood marketplace, made its entry into the U.S. frozen seafood market with the acquisition of Illinois-based CenSea, one of the country's largest shrimp importers. The company will combine forces with Captain Fresh to further improve customer experience and global supply chain operations for restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers. This move is part of Captain Fresh's international expansion strategy, which is supported by more than USD 100 Million in funding.
• February 27, 2024: BlueNalu, a California-based cultivated seafood startup, became the first member of its industry to join the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the leading U.S. seafood trade association. As one of the first members of NFI's newly formed Sushi Council, BlueNalu will collaborate in the creation of food safety guidance for sushi supply chains as a major move toward integrating cell-cultured seafood into the conventional market.

United States Seafood Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the United States seafood market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the United States seafood market.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the United States seafood industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.