Eastern Asia: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian frozen freshwater fish market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after four years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

For the third consecutive year, Eastern Asia recorded decline in shipments abroad of frozen freshwater fish, which decreased by -13.3% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports showed a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 14%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 67% of total exports. Japan (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (11%) and South Korea (6%). Hong Kong SAR (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -5.0% from 2012 to 2021. Hong Kong SAR (-1.7%), Japan (-1.9%), South Korea (-9.6%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-11.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+5 p.p.) and Japan (+3.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Korea and Taiwan (Chinese) saw its share reduced by -2.8% and -7.3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest frozen freshwater fish supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 7.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 5.5% share.

In China, frozen freshwater fish exports shrank by an average annual rate of -1.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-8.0% per year) and Japan (-3.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 28%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+7.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas purchases of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -18.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports continue to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports shrank to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) was the key importer of frozen freshwater fish, committing 59% of total imports. South Korea (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 23% share, followed by Japan (11%). Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Hong Kong SAR (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hong Kong SAR emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +4.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Korea (-4.6%), Japan (-7.7%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-13.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of China increased by +23 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X), South Korea ($X) and Japan ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 90% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan (Chinese), which together accounted for a further 10%.

Among the main importing countries, Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +6.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 10% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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