Southern Asia: Frozen Freshwater Fish Market 2025

Frozen Freshwater Fish Market Size in Southern Asia

The South Asian frozen freshwater fish market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, rising by 22% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Production in Southern Asia

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 57%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Exports

Exports in Southern Asia

In 2021, shipments abroad of frozen freshwater fish decreased by -11.8% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 1,934%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish exports reduced notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 1,682%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) represented the main exporter of frozen freshwater fish, constituting 74% of total exports. Pakistan (X tons) took a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Bangladesh (5.5%).

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the frozen freshwater fish exports, with a CAGR of +67.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Pakistan (+33.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Bangladesh experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of India (+65 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Bangladesh (-65.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the largest frozen freshwater fish supplier in Southern Asia, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Pakistan ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in India stood at +64.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Pakistan (+25.4% per year) and Bangladesh (+3.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Southern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 8.5%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bangladesh (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Frozen Freshwater Fish Imports

Imports in Southern Asia

For the third year in a row, Southern Asia recorded growth in supplies from abroad of frozen freshwater fish, which increased by 66% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports saw a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 304% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, frozen freshwater fish imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 250%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Bangladesh prevails in imports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 84% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by India (X tons) and Sri Lanka (X tons), together comprising a 14% share of total imports. Maldives (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to frozen freshwater fish imports into Bangladesh stood at +31.7%. At the same time, India (+52.6%) and Maldives (+11.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Southern Asia, with a CAGR of +52.6% from 2012-2021. Sri Lanka experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Bangladesh (+35 p.p.) and India (+6.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Maldives and Sri Lanka saw its share reduced by -2.4% and -37.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Bangladesh ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported frozen freshwater fish in Southern Asia, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 27% share of total imports. It was followed by Sri Lanka, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Bangladesh totaled +27.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+47.9% per year) and Sri Lanka (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Southern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -24.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the import price increased by 71%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sri Lanka (+2.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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