01 Aquaculture Is Taking a Larger Role in Fresh Fish Supply The Fresh Fish Market is increasingly supported by aquaculture as wild-capture fisheries face biological limits and relatively stable output. Farmed production gives suppliers greater control over harvest timing, fish size, and delivery schedules, which is especially valuable for fresh products with short shelf lives. It also helps retailers and foodservice companies maintain more predictable year-round availability. FAO reported that aquaculture produced more than 100 million tonnes of aquatic animals for the first time in 2024, while capture fisheries remained around 92 million tonnes. As aquaculture expands, investment is increasing in hatcheries, farms, processing facilities, cold chains, and rapid distribution systems serving fresh-fish markets. In June 2026, FAO reported that aquaculture supplied 59% of aquatic animal food destined for human consumption, confirming its growing role in global fish supply.
01 Growing Global Aquatic-Food Consumption Supports Fresh Fish Demand Population growth, income improvement, and the importance of fish in human diets continue to support demand for fresh fish. Aquatic animal foods provide important protein and micronutrients, making them a regular part of diets across developed and emerging economies. FAO reported that 89% of aquatic animal production is used directly for human consumption, while aquatic animal products provide 20% of per-capita animal-protein consumption globally. Average availability reached 21.3 kg per person and is projected to rise to 21.9 kg by 2034. Higher consumption creates downstream demand for fish markets, supermarkets, restaurants, refrigerated transportation, and processing facilities capable of supplying fresh products efficiently.
01 Price Sensitivity Is Limiting Fresh Fish Purchases in Major Markets Fresh fish can face stronger affordability pressure than longer-life alternatives because refrigeration, rapid transportation, spoilage risk, and short selling periods add costs throughout the supply chain. When household budgets tighten, consumers can reduce purchase frequency or shift toward frozen, canned, or lower-priced seafood. This makes retail demand sensitive to inflation and changes in disposable income. Europe demonstrates this restraint clearly: consumer spending on fishery and aquaculture products increased in 2024, but the increase mainly reflected higher prices rather than greater volumes. Persistent affordability pressure can therefore limit fresh-fish sales even when consumers continue to recognize seafood as an important part of their diets.
01 Latin America Can Expand Its Role in International Fresh Fish Supply Latin America and the Caribbean offer an important opportunity for fresh-fish suppliers because the region combines productive marine resources with expanding aquaculture capacity and established export infrastructure. Greater investment in refrigerated logistics, processing, certification, and air and sea connections can help producers supply higher-value fresh products to North America, Europe, and Asia. Export diversification is particularly attractive as international buyers seek alternative origins and year-round supply. The region already has a strong seafood trade position: FAO reported a USD 21 billion aquatic-animal trade surplus in 2024. Expanding aquaculture and improving cold-chain infrastructure could allow more producers to capture value from fresh and chilled products instead of commodity-oriented exports.
01 Fishery Resource Limits Can Reduce Availability of Key Wild Species Maintaining sustainable supplies of wild fresh fish remains a major challenge because several commercially important stocks face biological pressure. When scientific assessments show declining spawning biomass, governments may reduce fishing quotas to protect future stocks. These measures support long-term sustainability but can immediately lower raw-fish availability and increase procurement costs for processors, wholesalers, restaurants, and retailers. Unlike aquaculture, wild-capture supply cannot simply be expanded in response to stronger market demand. This creates uncertainty for fresh-fish businesses that depend on particular species and fishing seasons. Diversifying sourcing and species can reduce exposure, but changing consumer preferences and established supply chains takes time, making stock management a continuing market challenge.
September 2025 Cooke Aquaculture expanded its fresh fish production capabilities by advancing aquaculture operations and sustainable seafood initiatives, supporting demand for responsibly sourced fish products.
July 2025 Thai Union expanded its seafood portfolio by strengthening fresh and chilled seafood offerings through product development and supply chain improvements across international markets.
June 2025 Leroy Seafood Group expanded its fresh fish operations by advancing sustainable aquaculture and seafood distribution initiatives, supporting supply chain efficiency and product availability.
May 2025 Mowi expanded its fresh seafood portfolio by strengthening salmon farming and distribution capabilities, supporting increased availability of fresh fish products across global retail and foodservice markets.