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UK seafood processing

Seafood processing is an important
industry in the UK.

Concentrated in coastal regions, it provides employment for many (often rural) communities. However, the sector is facing challenges caused by labour shortages and increased production costs.

fish on scales

Our processing sector

No. of
processing
sites in the UK:
342

processing factor

Full-time
equivalent
jobs:
17.2K

processing worker

Top 5 regions by number of Full-time equivalent jobs

map of the UK
2. North Eastern Scotland – 3,411
3. Highlands & Islands – 1,535
1. East Yorkshire &
       Northern Lincolnshire (including
                Grimsby and Humber) – 5,047
4. Southern Scotland – 1,403
5. Eastern Scotland – 735
1. East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire – 5,047
2. North Eastern Scotland – 3,411
3. Highlands & Islands –1,535
4. Southern Scotland – 1,403
5. Eastern Scotland – 735

Top regional hubs by number of sites

map of the UK
1. North Eastern Scotland – 46
     2. Highlands & Islands – 44
3. East Yorkshire &
       Northern Lincolnshire (including
                Grimsby and Humber) – 43
4. Eastern Scotland – 18
     5. Devon – 17
1. North Eastern Scotland – 46
2. Highlands & Islands – 44
3. East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire (including Grimsby and Humber) – 43
4. Eastern Scotland – 18
5. Devon – 17

Did you know?

Seafood processing includes both primary (filleting, gutting, peeling) and secondary processing (battering, brining, smoking). In 2024, there were 94 sites dedicated to primary processing, 61 to secondary and 162 mixed.

Data notes and sources

Landings

Data Source: Marine Management Organisation.

Reference: MMO monthly landings statistics

Click here to view the data
Fleet economic performance

Data source: Seafish

Reference: Seafish Fleet Enquiry Tool

Click here to view the data

Note 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 data

Note that 2024 trade data is provisional

Processing

Data source: Seafish

Reference: Seafish Processing Enquiry Tool

Click here to view the data
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.