Market Overview

The US Frozen and Canned Seafood Market is a vital segment of the broader seafood industry, providing consumers with convenient, long-shelf-life protein options that align with busy lifestyles, evolving health consciousness, and sustainability concerns. Frozen seafood offers near-fresh quality, extended storage, and waste reduction, while canned seafood delivers affordability, portability, and pantry stability. Together, they account for a significant share of seafood consumption in the United States, particularly in categories such as shrimp, salmon, tuna, crab, clams, sardines, and mackerel.

The market has seen structural growth due to pandemic-era cooking habits, rising interest in protein-rich diets, and the premiumization of frozen options (flash-frozen fillets, ready-to-cook meals). Canned seafood has benefitted from its value-for-money proposition and rising popularity among younger consumers exploring Mediterranean-style eating, tapas, and sustainable sourcing stories. At the same time, regulatory scrutiny over traceability, mercury levels, and fishing practices is reshaping supply chains.

Meaning

In this context, the frozen and canned seafood market refers to seafood products that have undergone preservation techniques to extend shelf life:

• Frozen seafood: Fish and shellfish rapidly frozen post-harvest to preserve freshness, nutrients, and texture. Includes frozen fillets, shellfish, prepared meals, and breaded products.

• Canned seafood: Fish/shellfish packed in cans with oil, water, or sauces. Includes tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, crab, and specialty shellfish.

Both categories are staples in retail, foodservice, institutional, and export channels, meeting consumer needs for nutrition, convenience, and versatility.

Executive Summary

The US Frozen and Canned Seafood Market was valued at approximately USD 25–27 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5–5.5% between 2025 and 2030, reaching over USD 35 billion by 2030. Growth is propelled by:

• Rising consumption of healthy proteins as red meat declines.

• Increasing preference for easy-to-prepare meals.

• Expanded distribution across supermarkets, club stores, e-commerce, and meal kits.

• Premium innovations like sashimi-grade frozen tuna and flavored canned sardines.

• Consumer awareness of sustainable sourcing certifications (MSC, ASC).

Constraints include supply chain volatility, climate change impacts on fisheries, and price sensitivity due to inflation. Yet, continued innovation, sustainability investments, and digital retail channels are expected to sustain momentum.

Key Market Insights

• Frozen shrimp and salmon are the most consumed categories in the US frozen segment.

• Canned tuna dominates the canned segment, though sardines, salmon, and mackerel are gaining traction.

• Sustainability certifications increasingly influence consumer choice.

• E-commerce and D2C channels are rapidly expanding distribution, especially for premium frozen products.

• Younger demographics are rediscovering canned seafood as a gourmet and sustainable choice.

Market Drivers

1. Health-conscious consumers – Rising awareness of omega-3 fatty acids, lean protein, and heart health benefits.

2. Convenience & long shelf life – Frozen and canned seafood reduce waste and fit into meal planning.

3. Premiumization – Flash-frozen, portion-controlled, and ready-to-cook seafood offer restaurant-like experiences at home.

4. Cultural diversity in diets – Hispanic, Asian, and Mediterranean influences boost demand for sardines, mackerel, clams, and octopus.

5. Sustainability awareness – Certified fisheries and eco-friendly packaging drive brand trust.

Market Restraints

1. Price volatility – Global fishery output fluctuations and inflation impact retail prices.

2. Supply chain fragility – Overfishing, climate change, and geopolitical trade restrictions create uncertainty.

3. Consumer perception – Some buyers still associate frozen with lower quality and canned with “budget food.”

4. Health concerns – Mercury levels in tuna, sodium in canned products, and BPA in packaging raise concerns.

5. Competition – Fresh seafood, plant-based seafood analogues, and alternative proteins compete for share.

Market Opportunities

1. Value-added frozen meals – Ready-to-cook frozen seafood bowls, tacos, and stir-fries.

2. Flavored canned seafood – Mediterranean, spicy, and gourmet marinades (chili oil sardines, lemon-pepper tuna).

3. Sustainable packaging – BPA-free cans, recyclable materials, compostable frozen packaging.

4. Functional nutrition positioning – Marketing seafood as protein + omega-3 “functional food.”

5. E-commerce expansion – Direct-to-consumer seafood boxes and subscription services.

Market Dynamics

• Supply Side: Imports dominate US supply, especially from Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, China, Indonesia) and Latin America (Ecuador, Mexico). Alaska contributes significantly to domestic salmon and pollock supply.

• Demand Side: Millennials and Gen Z show growing interest in sustainable, high-protein, and adventurous seafood formats, while Boomers prioritize health and familiarity.

• Economic Factors: Inflationary pressures may increase consumer trade-down to canned over fresh or premium frozen; however, value perception remains strong for both.

Regional Analysis

• West Coast (California, Washington, Oregon): High demand for salmon, crab, and sushi-grade frozen seafood. Strong sustainability focus.

• Northeast (New York, Boston): Major consumption of canned tuna, sardines, and clams. Tradition of chowders and Mediterranean cuisine supports canned demand.

• South (Texas, Florida, Louisiana): Strong shrimp consumption; frozen breaded shrimp and canned tuna are staples.

• Midwest: High reliance on frozen seafood for convenience; breaded and battered fish popular in retail and foodservice.

Competitive Landscape

Major players:

• Thai Union Group (Chicken of the Sea) – Leading in canned tuna and value-added products.

• Bumble Bee Foods – Strong presence in canned tuna, salmon, and specialty seafood.

• Starkist (Dongwon Group) – Market leader in canned tuna with flavored and pouch formats.

• Trident Seafoods – Major US-based supplier of frozen salmon and pollock.

• High Liner Foods – Frozen seafood, particularly breaded/battered products for retail and foodservice.

• Pacific Seafood & Clearwater Seafoods – Specialty shellfish and frozen premium categories.

• Emerging D2C brands – Wild Alaskan Company, Vital Choice, and others targeting premium subscription buyers.

Segmentation

• By Product Type: Frozen fish | Frozen shellfish | Canned tuna | Canned salmon | Canned sardines & mackerel | Specialty canned (crab, clams, mussels).

• By End User: Household | Foodservice | Institutional (schools, hospitals, military).

• By Distribution Channel: Supermarkets/hypermarkets | Club stores | Convenience stores | E-commerce/D2C | Foodservice distribution.

• By Packaging: Cans | Pouches | Frozen trays | Vacuum packs | Recyclable/eco-friendly.

Category-wise Insights

• Frozen seafood: Shrimp leads, followed by salmon; growing demand for portion-controlled and breaded varieties.

• Canned seafood: Tuna dominates but sardines and mackerel are rebranding as gourmet, nutrient-rich, and sustainable.

• Specialty frozen (lobster, scallops, crab): Popular in holiday and premium dining segments.

• Flavored and ready-to-eat formats: Chili oil sardines, tuna pouches with seasonings, frozen poke kits gaining traction.

Key Benefits for Industry Participants and Stakeholders

• Producers: Broader reach via retail and e-commerce; premium margins for certified, value-added products.

• Retailers: High-velocity SKUs with strong pantry appeal; cross-selling opportunities with meal kits and sauces.

• Consumers: Convenient, affordable, and nutrient-rich protein sources.

• Government: Strong food security buffer with long-shelf-life proteins; opportunity for nutrition programs.

• Sustainability advocates: Certifications help promote responsible fishing and consumer awareness.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• High penetration and household familiarity.

• Strong health positioning (protein, omega-3).

• Wide distribution across retail and foodservice.

Weaknesses

• Perceptions of frozen/canned as inferior to fresh.

• Mercury and sodium concerns.

• Dependence on imports.

Opportunities

• Premium frozen meals and flavored canned seafood.

• Eco-friendly packaging innovations.

• Growth of e-commerce seafood boxes.

Threats

• Climate change and overfishing impacting supply.

• Price volatility and inflation.

• Competition from fresh seafood and plant-based substitutes.

Market Key Trends

1. Premium frozen innovations – Sashimi-grade frozen tuna, poke kits, gourmet breaded seafood.

2. Canned seafood renaissance – Younger consumers embracing sardines, anchovies, and tapas culture.

3. Sustainability and traceability – QR codes, blockchain pilots, MSC/ASC certification on pack.

4. E-commerce expansion – Subscription seafood boxes and online grocery growth.

5. Functional nutrition marketing – Omega-3 as a “brain and heart health” driver.

Key Industry Developments

• Launch of BPA-free and recyclable packaging across leading canned seafood brands.

• Expansion of flavored tuna and sardine lines catering to younger, adventurous eaters.

• Investments in supply chain traceability using blockchain and digital tracking.

• Rise of frozen ready-to-eat seafood meals in supermarkets and club stores.

• Growth of direct-to-consumer frozen seafood brands offering sustainably sourced premium options.

Analyst Suggestions

1. Rebrand canned seafood as a gourmet, sustainable option with new flavors and packaging.

2. Invest in frozen ready meals that combine seafood with grains, vegetables, and sauces.

3. Enhance transparency with certifications, blockchain, and QR codes.

4. Expand eco-friendly packaging to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

5. Leverage digital marketing and D2C models to attract Millennials and Gen Z.

Future Outlook

By 2030, the US Frozen and Canned Seafood Market will become more premium, digital-first, and sustainability-driven. Expect:

• Frozen seafood to capture greater share with high-quality, ready-to-cook, and restaurant-style offerings.

• Canned seafood to enjoy a renaissance, especially sardines, anchovies, and salmon, supported by gourmet and sustainability narratives.

• E-commerce to account for a larger slice of sales, particularly among premium-conscious buyers.

• Packaging innovations (compostable frozen trays, recyclable cans) to become industry norms.

Conclusion

The US Frozen and Canned Seafood Market is robust, resilient, and increasingly premiumized. While tuna and shrimp remain volume leaders, the market’s future lies in sustainability, flavor innovation, and digital retailing. Companies that align with health, convenience, and eco-consciousness will thrive, while those failing to adapt risk losing share to fresh seafood, plant-based alternatives, or more innovative rivals.