Mobile Menu

Fish & Seafood Markets in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Federico Irigoyen Federico Irigoyen New York, United States Last Updated: February 2024 NAICS 44522

Revenue

$4.3bn

2024

$4.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XX.Xbn

Employees

16,016

Businesses

4,601

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry analysis

Fish and seafood markets comprise establishments that retail primarily fresh, frozen and cured fish and seafood items, including the online sales of fish products or fish. Seafood counters that operate within a supermarket aren't included. Expanding per capita seafood consumption and rising per capita disposable income have also benefited companies in the fish and seafood market. Also, the growing incidence of heart disease and obesity in the United States has encouraged consumers to incorporate finfish and fish oil into their diets. Coupled with a renewed interest in locally sourced food, health and nutrition trends emphasizing the importance of eating seafood have driven growth. However, boosting external competition with larger supercenter retailers has made it difficult for fish and seafood markets to compete on pricing. Industry-wide revenue has been growing at an average annualized 2.7% over the past five years and is expected to total $4.3 billion in 2024, when revenue will rise by an estimated 0.8%.

Trends and Insights

  • Interest in the health benefits of seafood consumption has driven demand for fish and seafood products. However, pricing and consumer trends have also impacted fish and seafood market revenue and profit.
  • Fresh fish represent the most significant product group. Sales of fresh finfish, in particular, are expected to make up most sales, with salmon being the top selling and others including tilapia, pollock, cod, tuna and catfish.
  • Fish and seafood markets are located near large population centers along the coasts, with easy access to fresh seafood. The regions with the highest concentration of fish and seafood markets are the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and West.
  • Fish and seafood markets are subject to internal and external competition. Fish and seafood markets compete based on the quality of products, range of services and products offered, location and price.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
  • PDF report or online database with Word, Excel and PowerPoint export options
  • 100% money back guarantee

Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Revenue grows as prices edge upward

  • COVID-19 made buying feed much more expensive, driving up fish prices, which led fish and seafood markets to pass on boosted costs to downstream industries and consumers.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Fish & Seafood Markets in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Swelling disposable income promotes seafood

  • A boost in per capita disposable income and consumer spending will bring consumers back from cheaper substitutes to seafood.

Biggest companies in the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Fish & Seafood Markets in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Fresh finfish, Fresh shellfish and Frozen seafood. Fresh finfish is the largest segment of the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US.

Trends and Insights

Fresh fish represent the largest product group

  • Sales of fresh finfish, in particular, comprise a substantial portion of industry sales in the current year, with salmon being the top selling species, known for its rich flavor and high nutritional value. Other popular finfish commonly sold at fish markets include tilapia, pollock, cod, tuna and catfish.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Fish and seafood markets primarily retail fresh, frozen and cured fish and seafood items, including tuna, salmon, lobster and shrimp. Products are sold at various brick-and-mortar locations including independent markets, delicatessens, fishmongers and butcher shops. Fish and seafood markets and counters operating within a supermarket are excluded from this industry, but online sales of fish products are included, as are other direct selling establishments.

What's included in this industry?

Operating fish markets Operating seafood markets Preparing and selling frozen fish and other foodsPreparing and selling other food items, including poultry, fruit, vegetables and sweets

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

AQUACULTUREBRICK-AND-MORTARFINFISHE COLI

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 44522 - Fish & Seafood Markets in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Interest in the health benefits of seafood consumption has driven demand for fish and seafood products. However, pricing and consumer trends have also impacted fish and seafo...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Fresh fish represent the most significant product group. Sales of fresh finfish, in particular, are expected to make up most sales, with salmon being the top selling and othe...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Fish and seafood markets are located near large population centers along the coasts, with easy access to fresh seafood. The regions with the highest concentration of fish and...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Fish and seafood markets are subject to internal and external competition. Fish and seafood markets compete based on the quality of products, range of services and products o...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The Fish and Seafood Markets industry has no major companies. Most fish and seafood markets are small, independent and privately-owned enterprises with only one storefront.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Fish and seafood markets benefit from more Americans becoming expansively health-conscious. Many consumers have turned to seafood as a healthy alternative to other sources of...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    The cost structure for fish and seafood markets depends on several factors, including the size, location and recognition of the market. Purchases, however, consistently accou...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States is $4.3bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 4,601 businesses in the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US in United States include?

    Operating fish markets and Operating seafood markets are part of the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Fish & Seafood Markets in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in the US
    • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US
    • Mail Order in the US

    Complementors

    • Fish & Seafood Wholesaling in the US

    International industries

    • Specialty Food Stores in Canada
    • Fresh Meat, Fish and Poultry Retailing in Australia
    • Specialised Grocery Retailing in New Zealand
    • Seafood Retailers in the UK

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.