United Kingdom: Fresh Fish Fillet Market 2025

Fresh Fish Fillet Market Size in the UK

In 2021, the UK fresh fish fillet market increased by 4.8% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild curtailment. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Fresh Fish Fillet Production in the UK

In value terms, fresh fish fillet production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Fish Fillet Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, overseas shipments of fresh or chilled fish fillets decreased by -41.7% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, exports saw a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh fish fillet exports shrank dramatically to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 48% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for fresh fish fillet exports from the UK, accounting for a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, fresh fish fillet exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X tons), sixfold. Belgium (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to France stood at +2.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+6.0% per year) and Belgium (-8.7% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for fresh or chilled fish fillets exports from the UK, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France stood at +5.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+10.9% per year) and Belgium (-2.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average fresh fish fillet export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.9%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Germany (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Fish Fillet Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, the amount of fresh or chilled fish fillets imported into the UK dropped markedly to X tons, falling by -43.9% on the year before. In general, imports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 2% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh fish fillet imports contracted dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports faced a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Iceland (X tons), Norway (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main suppliers of fresh fish fillet imports to the UK, with a combined 70% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Faroe Islands, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +55.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Norway ($X), Iceland ($X) and Turkey ($X) constituted the largest fresh fish fillet suppliers to the UK, with a combined 71% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Faroe Islands, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 24%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +60.9%, recorded 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

In 2021, the average fresh fish fillet import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.1%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while the price for Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Faroe Islands (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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