Seafood trade data

The UK imports and exports most of its fish and shellfish. We use HMRC data to analyse the performance of seafood trade routes in and out of the UK.

This page has information on:

Seafood imported to the UK 

The value of our seafood imports has increased by over £1 billion in the last decade. In the UK, we import most of the seafood we eat. The top five imported species are what UK consumers eat the most.

In 2021, we imported over 1 million tonnes of seafood worth £3.2 billion. This represents a value decrease of 1% and volume decrease of 7% from 2020.

World map showing value of seafood imports to the UK of the top five countries and the top five imported species

Our top five importing countries by value were:

  1. Norway (£489 million)
  2. Iceland (£255 million)
  3. Vietnam ( £221 million)
  4. China (£194 million)
  5. Sweden (£184 million)

Our top five imported species by value were:

  1. Salmon (£779 million)
  2. Shrimps and prawns (£623 million)
  3. Cod (£425 million)
  4. Tuna (£381 million)
  5. Haddock (£197 million)
World map showing volume of UK seafood imports of top five countries and top five species

In 2021, our top five importing countries by volume were:

  1. China (142,000 tonnes)
  2. Norway (141,000 tonnes)
  3. Iceland (100,000 tonnes)
  4. Ecuador (77,400 tonnes)
  5. Vietnam (71,400 tonnes)

In 2021, our top five imported species by volume were:

  1. Tuna (215,500 tonnes)
  2. Cod (206,000 tonnes)
  3. Salmon (161,700 tonnes)
  4. Shrimps and prawns (120,300 tonnes)
  5. Haddock (108,300 tonnes)

Seafood exported from the UK

Internationally, UK caught or farmed seafood is desired for its quality and provenance although demand has become stagnant.

In 2021, the UK exported 445,000 tonnes worth £1.6 billion to 118 different countries. Although more than two thirds of value and volume went to the top five countries.

After the UK left the EU at the end of 2020, value of exports to the EU only went down 3% although the volume went down 28%. Export volume to non-EU countries went up 24%.

World map showing UK seafood exports of the top five countries and the top five species by value

In 2021, our top five exporting countries by value were:

  1. France (£751 million)
  2. USA (£204 million)
  3. Spain (£80 million)
  4. China (£74 million)
  5. Netherlands (£62 million)

In 2021, our top five exported species by value were:

  1. Salmon (£735 million)
  2. Nephrops (£111 million)
  3. Mackerel (£96 million)
  4. Scallops (£76 million)
  5. Crab (£67 million)
World map showing UK seafood exports of the top five countries and top five species by volume

In 2021, our top five exporting countries by volume were:

  1. France (181,400 tonnes)
  2. USA (33,500 tonnes)
  3. Netherlands (29,500 tonnes)
  4. Spain (24,000 tonnes)
  5. Republic of Ireland (18,500 tonnes)

In 2021, our top five exported species by volume were:

  1. Salmon (141,500 tonnes)
  2. Mackerel (56,000 tonnes)
  3. Nephrops (24,100 tonnes)
  4. Scallop (24,000 tonnes)
  5. Herring (21,000 tonnes)

Trade and Tariff Tool

Our Trade and Tariff Tool has data for seafood imported and exported in the UK. Businesses can use it to research potential new markets. 

Its an interactive tool built using business intelligence software on Tableau and gives access to historical trade data from 2010 to 2020. It covers data on seafood trade for human consumption only and is based on HMRC data. It also includes data on trade tariffs. 

The data includes weight, value and country by year and can be displayed year by year, making comparisons easy and allowing businesses to identify trends and opportunities. 

Follow the link below to access the Trade and Tariff Tool. 

Contact us

If you’d like further information on any of our trade data, please contact our Economics team by emailing economics@seafish.co.uk   

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