Exports from the UK
In terms of live weight of fish and shellfish, the UK exported over 50,000 tonnes more seafood in 2024 than it did in 2023.
The value of seafood exports increased by £229m.
The EU remains the UK’s largest export market in 2024 taking a 67% share of total UK export value.
UK seafood exports continued in growth in 2024, driven largely by strong performance in salmon and mackerel exports to key markets like the EU, US, and China.
Top 5 countries (value):
- France – £943m (+25%)
- USA – £317m (+34%)
- China – £113m (+31%)
- Netherlands – £102m (+8%)
- Spain – £80m (-25%)
Total exports: £1,985m (+13%)
Top 5 countries (volume-tonnes):
- France – 190,972 (+23%)
- Netherlands – 54,517 (+19%)
- USA – 39,813 (+51%)
- Spain – 23,745 (-25%)
- Republic of Ireland – 14,981 (-19%)
Total exports: 493,075 tonnes (+11%)
Did you know?
In 2024, we exported £1.9 billion worth of seafood around the world - the equivalent of 2,500 solid gold bars.
Top 5 species (value)
- 1. Salmon – £947m (+42%)
- 2. Mackerel – £163m (+26%)
- 3. Nephrops – £124m (+7%)
- 4. Scallops – £88m (-3%)
- 5. Crabs – £65m (-15%)
Total exports: £1,985m (+13%)
Top 5 species (volume-tonnes)
- 1. Salmon – 134,789 (+49%)
- 2. Mackerel – 84,270 (+10%)
- 3. Herring – 40,817 (+23%)
- 4. Scallops – 24,773 (+0%)
- 5. Nephrops – 22,517 (+10%)
Total exports: 493,075 tonnes (+11%)
Did you know? The UK exported seafood products to 120 countries in 2024
Data notes and sources
Landings
Data Source: Marine Management Organisation.
Reference: MMO monthly landings statistics
Click here to view the dataFleet economic performance
Data source: Seafish
Reference: Seafish Fleet Enquiry Tool
Click here to view the dataNote that 2024 performance and landings data is provisional
Aquaculture production
Data Source: Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS)
Reference: Data supplied directly to Seafish
Trade (Imports and Exports)
Data Source: HMRC monthly data via Business Trade Statistics (BTS), processed by Seafish.
Reference: Seafish Trade and Tariff Tool
Click here to view the dataNote that 2024 trade data is provisional
Processing
Retail data
NielsenIQ ScanTrack data to 52 week ending 30/12/2024; Reference - Monthly Retail Report 52
week ending (w/e) data to 30.12.24; Click here to view the report; Click here to view the factsheets.
Foodservice data
Circana data to year end December 2024; Reference - 2024 Q4 NPD Data Sheet; Click here to view the report; Click here to view the factsheets.