Australia: Frozen Whole Fish Market 2025

Frozen Whole Fish Market Size in Australia

The Australian frozen whole fish market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a slight decline. Frozen whole fish consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Frozen Whole Fish Production in Australia

In value terms, frozen whole fish production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Whole Fish Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of frozen whole fish, when their volume decreased by -6.7% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole fish exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for frozen whole fish exports from Australia, accounting for a 43% share of total exports. Moreover, frozen whole fish exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Vietnam (X tons), with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Japan was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+44.3% per year) and Vietnam (+25.2% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for frozen whole fish exports from Australia, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Japan stood at -7.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+74.4% per year) and China (+23.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average frozen whole fish export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+13.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Whole Fish Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, purchases abroad of frozen whole fish increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, frozen whole fish imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), China (X tons) and New Zealand (X tons) were the main suppliers of frozen whole fish imports to Australia, with a combined 60% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and India, which together accounted for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Myanmar (with a CAGR of +41.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest frozen whole fish suppliers to Australia were China ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and New Zealand ($X), together accounting for 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and India, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Myanmar, with a CAGR of +47.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average frozen whole fish import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 2.3% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, frozen whole fish import price decreased by -1.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+20.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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