The frozen mackerel market is set to hit USD 1,328.3 Million in 2025 and aims for USD 2,312.3 Million by 2035. It will grow at a CAGR of 5.8% yearly. Aquaculture is growing, and there is increasing demand for frozen seafood, particularly in emerging markets. Tech progress in processing and freezing seafood is changing the industry. Moreover, consumers desiring effortless, enduring fish products play a vital role in the market's growth.
The frozen mackerel market will likely grow well from 2025 to 2035. This will be due to more people wanting protein-rich seafood, knowing mackerel's health benefits better, and having better ways to keep seafood cold for delivery. Mackerel is a highly nutritious fish. It has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and necessary vitamins. So, it is a preferred choice for individuals, restaurants, and seafood manufacturers.
Market Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025E) | USD 1,328.3 Million |
| Market Value (2035F) | USD 2,312.3 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.8% |
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Asia-Pacific will lead the frozen mackerel market. High fish eating, strong fishing industries, and need for cheap protein drive this. China, Japan, South Korea, and India top mackerel producers, with cool storage and frozen fish exports growing.
China’s booming seafood industry, more frozen seafood in stores, and growing fish farming help market rise. Japan’s love for mackerel in their meals, strong market for frozen fish, and quality keeping methods push more use. South Korea’s want for ready-to-eat frozen seafood and India’s seafood export growth boost the market in the region too.
Europe has a big part in the frozen mackerel market. Countries like Norway, the UK, Spain, and Portugal lead in wild-caught mackerel exports. They also push frozen seafood ideas and care about green fishing. The EU rules on safe fish practices and people wanting protein and omega-3 help the market grow. More stores sell frozen fish too.
Good quality frozen mackerel is growing. More people buy vacuum-packed fish for longer shelf life. There's a need for fish caught in safe ways. Europe is focused on eco-friendly fishing and cutting down too much fishing. This helps shape new products.
Frozen mackerel sales are growing fast in North America. More people want frozen fish in stores. They know it's healthy. Fish imports from Asia and Europe are also on the rise. The USA and Canada are ahead. They have strong networks for selling seafood. People want quick meal choices there. Investments in sustainable seafood are growing too.
Store brands of frozen seafood are getting popular. Consumers like ready-to-cook frozen mackerel. Online seafood shopping is also increasing. The government is pushing for sustainable fishing. They want to track where fish comes from. This helps the market grow even more.
Challenges
Price Volatility and Cold Chain Logistics Limitations
One of the major issues in the frozen mackerel market is the changing prices of fish due to the seasons, fishing limits, and environmental effects. Also, poor cold storage and transport in growing areas cause spoilage and raise transport costs, which makes it hard for the market to grow.
Overfishing and strict laws by governments controlling fishing to keep it sustainable and following global trade rules are also problems for those who produce and sell fish.
Opportunities
Sustainable Aquaculture, Value-Added Frozen Mackerel Products, and E-Commerce Expansion
Despite hurdles, the frozen mackerel market holds big chances to grow. Sustainable fish farming is on the rise. This reduces the need for wild-caught fish and keeps the supply steady, making the industry more stable in the long haul.
More products like pre-seasoned fillets, ready-to-cook pieces, and high-protein seafood snacks mean more money for seafood makers. Also, buying seafood online is getting more popular. It brings ease and speeds up delivery, which will help the market grow.
New freezing and packaging methods keep mackerel fresh for longer, holding on to its nutrition. These innovations are set to drive market growth further.
From 2020 to 2024, the frozen mackerel market grew steadily. More people ate seafood. They learned the health benefits of omega-3s. Global trade in frozen fish also went up. Demand was high in Asia, Europe, and North America, where seafood is popular.
New ways to freeze fish and better shipping helped the market. Sustainable fishing also played a role. But there were problems too. Overfishing was a point to worry. Trade rules and changing fish prices were hurdles for those in the industry.
Looking to the years 2025 to 2035, changes in the frozen mackerel market are set to come. Green practices, better fish farming, and smarter supply chains will lead the way. Using blockchain for trackable fish, good-for-nature packaging, and new ways to freeze will help improve product quality and clarity.
Rules for sustainable fishing and a shift in what buyers want will push for better fish management. As people ask for healthy and cost-effective seafood, the frozen mackerel market will grow in both rich and rising countries.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis 2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035
| Market Shift | 2020 to 2024 |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Compliance with basic fishing quotas and trade policies. |
| Technological Advancements | Traditional freezing and cold chain logistics. |
| Industry Applications | Primarily used in retail, foodservice, and processed seafood products. |
| Adoption of Smart Equipment | Limited automation in freezing and packaging. |
| Sustainability & Cost Efficiency | Growing focus on sustainable fishing practices. |
| Data Analytics & Predictive Modeling | Basic demand forecasting and seasonal pricing adjustments. |
| Production & Supply Chain Dynamics | Dependence on wild-caught mackerel and conventional supply chains. |
| Market Growth Drivers | Demand driven by seafood health benefits, global trade, and affordability. |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Stricter regulations on sustainable fishing, traceability, and eco-friendly processing. |
| Technological Advancements | Super-freezing technology, AI-powered inventory management, and blockchain-enabled traceability. |
| Industry Applications | Expansion into ready-to-cook, functional food, and high-protein dietary products. |
| Adoption of Smart Equipment | AI-integrated quality control, smart cold storage monitoring, and automated packaging solutions. |
| Sustainability & Cost Efficiency | Full adoption of certified sustainable fisheries, carbon-neutral packaging, and alternative protein developments. |
| Data Analytics & Predictive Modeling | AI-powered demand prediction, real-time stock monitoring, and adaptive pricing models. |
| Production & Supply Chain Dynamics | Shift toward aquaculture-based mackerel farming, decentralized production, and efficient global distribution networks. |
| Market Growth Drivers | Growth fueled by sustainability initiatives, technology-driven processing, and increased consumer awareness of ethical sourcing. |
The frozen mackerel market in the USA is growing. More and more people want high-protein fish. They learn about the health gains of omega-3s. There are more imports from Asia and Europe. The USA Food and Drug Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration keep frozen fish safe and set the rules for imports.
Also, there is a rise in using sustainable and traceable fish sources. More people prefer ready-to-cook frozen fish. Investments in better freezing and packaging tech are on the rise. Advanced cold chain logistics help keep the fish fresh and are impacting market trends.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 5.8% |
The frozen mackerel market in the UK is growing. People are eating more seafood. There is a strong push for green fishing, plus high demand from places that serve food. The UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) control fishing limits, make sure seafood is safe and give out green seals.
Fancy frozen mackerel items are becoming popular. Many now choose vacuum-sealed and IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) packs. Frozen fish can now be bought online a lot easier. More money is being spent on green ways to fish and process. This is shaping how the industry moves forward.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 5.5% |
The frozen mackerel market in the EU is growing strong. This is because of high demand from stores and restaurants. People also care more about the ocean, and there's an increase in seafood exports. The European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority set rules for fishing limits, trade, and safety.
Germany, France, and Spain are leading users of frozen mackerel. They use it in ready meals and processed foods. These countries are also investing more in green fishing methods and sending more seafood to Asia. New freezing methods that keep fish fresh for longer also helps the market to grow.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | 5.7% |
The frozen mackerel market in Japan is growing. People in Japan love seafood. More people are buying frozen fish for sushi and other dishes. There is more money being put into fish processing technology. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Japan Frozen Food Association (JFFA) set rules for seafood safety, imports, and catching fish in a way that does not harm fish numbers.
Japanese companies are spending on better freezing and vacuum-packaging ways. They are also making more foods like canned or grilled frozen mackerel. They use smart systems to check fish quality. Also, there are more high-quality frozen mackerel being sent to top seafood markets. This shapes new steps in the industry.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 5.9% |
Frozen mackerel sales in South Korea are growing fast. People eat lots of seafood here. More high-quality frozen mackerel is coming in from other places. The government is helping with plans for good fishing. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Food and Drug Administration look at seafood safety, labels, and trade rules.
Frozen mackerel is popular in quick meals. More people want top-quality frozen fish for Korean dishes. South Korean frozen seafood brands are also selling more in other nations. There are also more funds in using blockchain to track and ensure sustainable fishing.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 6.0% |
The frozen mackerel market is growing. People all over the world are eating more seafood. They like to eat high-protein foods. New freezing and preservation methods are making things better. Horse mackerel leads the market in 2025. It holds about 54% of the market. This makes horse mackerel easy to get, cheap, and wanted in many places.
| Species | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Horse Mackerel | 54.0% |
Horse mackerel is used often in seafood you can cook quickly and meals that are easy to make. It's also sold in many markets for export. People buy it because it has good nutrition, is cheap, and easy to get both fresh and frozen. This fish is wanted a lot in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
More people are eating horse mackerel because of a rise in seafood eating in new markets, and they want cheap fish that has good protein. It also helps that frozen seafood shipping has gotten better. AI helps check the quality of seafood, and there is better freezing tech and supply management now, which helps get horse mackerel to buyers faster and easier.
Even with all its good points, there are problems like too much fishing, rules about catching wild mackerel, and changes in when it is available. But new ideas in how to fish sustainably, use AI to check catches, and better ways to store fish in the cold should keep the supply steady and help it reach more markets.
The demand for frozen mackerel is influenced by its source. Wild catch will lead in the year 2025, claiming a market share of around 60%. This is because people prefer seafood from natural places and think it tastes better and is higher quality.
| Source | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Wild Catch | 60.0% |
Frozen wild mackerel is popular in good seafood markets, canned fish, and home delivery. People like it more than farmed fish. It tastes better and has more nutrients. Also, buyers trust it more. This type of fish is good for sustainable fishing and eco-friendly trends.
More people want wild mackerel because they know it's natural and organic. They prefer it over farmed fish. The push for sustainable fishing is growing. Smart tools like AI help manage fisheries. Blockchain is used to track seafood. Low-carbon fishing is better for the planet.
There are issues, though. Wild fish numbers change. Fishing quotas are strict. Overfishing is a worry. New tech helps check fish stocks in real-time. Ocean-safe fishing gear and green labels can boost trust. These things can help the industry meet rules for sustainability.
The frozen mackerel market is growing fast. More people want high-protein, omega-3-rich fish. They also like frozen fish because it lasts longer. The market expands due to more people eating seafood, better freezing tech, and more trade.
Companies focus on good fishing, better processing, and improved storage to keep their fish fresh and deliver it well. Big players include top seafood suppliers, fisheries, and frozen food firms. They all work on better ways to get, pack, and trade seafood around the world.
Market Share Analysis by Company
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Maruha Nichiro Corporation | 18-22% |
| Nissui Corporation | 14-18% |
| Thai Union Group | 12-16% |
| Pacific Andes International Holdings | 10-14% |
| Ocean Treasure World Foods | 6-10% |
| Other Companies (combined) | 30-40% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Maruha Nichiro Corporation | In 2024, expanded sustainable mackerel fishing operations and improved blast freezing technology for premium export quality. |
| Nissui Corporation | In 2025, introduced new processing techniques to retain higher omega-3 content and freshness in frozen mackerel products. |
| Thai Union Group | In 2024, developed eco-friendly packaging for frozen seafood to align with global sustainability goals. |
| Pacific Andes International Holdings | In 2025, strengthened supply chain logistics to ensure consistent frozen mackerel exports to key Asian and European markets. |
| Ocean Treasure World Foods | In 2024, launched new quality grading standards for frozen mackerel to meet international regulatory requirements. |
Key Company Insights
Maruha Nichiro Corporation (18-22%)
Maruha Nichiro leads the frozen mackerel market, offering sustainably sourced, high-quality frozen seafood for international distribution.
Nissui Corporation (14-18%)
Nissui specializes in advanced freezing and processing methods, ensuring optimal nutritional retention in frozen mackerel products.
Thai Union Group (12-16%)
Thai Union focuses on eco-friendly packaging and sustainable fishing practices, supporting responsible seafood consumption worldwide.
Pacific Andes International Holdings (10-14%)
Pacific Andes enhances logistics and global supply chain efficiency, ensuring consistent export of frozen mackerel to key markets.
Ocean Treasure World Foods (6-10%)
Ocean Treasure develops high-quality frozen seafood standards, optimizing product grading and international compliance.
Other Key Players (30-40% Combined)
Many fish sellers, green fishing groups, and ice food firms help with progress in freezing methods, going green, and worldwide fish sales. These include:
The overall market size for the frozen mackerel market was USD 1,328.3 Million in 2025.
The frozen mackerel market is expected to reach USD 2,312.3 Million in 2035.
Increasing demand for affordable and protein-rich seafood, rising global trade of frozen fish products, and growing awareness of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids will drive market growth.
China, Norway, Japan, South Korea, and the UK are key contributors.
Whole frozen mackerel is expected to dominate due to its high demand in retail and foodservice industries.
Frozen Mackerel Market
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