Industry Statistics and Trends
Seafood Processing in Europe key trends
European seafood processors have leaned on innovation amid rocky conditions.
Rising inflation and shifting consumer preferences have boosted demand for eco-friendly tinned seafood as companies find sustainable ways to keep prices competitive.
Plant-based seafood alternatives are set to gain traction in Europe.
Big names like Nestlé have hopped on the trend, creating plant-based offerings that are anticipated to challenge traditional seafood's hold on the European market.
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Seafood Processing in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Seafood Processing in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €61.7bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Consumers balance cost pressures with convenience
- Household consumption of fresh fish has plummeted to its lowest level, largely due to the current economic and geopolitical climate, which has led to an increase in inflation, weighing heavily on consumers' purchasing power. The European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EUMOFA) EU Fish Market Report 2024 estimates that per-capita consumption of fresh fish in the EU fell by 1% to 23.5 kilogram in 2022, though expenditure increased by 6% to €138 per capita. In contrast, canned, tinned and frozen seafood remain resilient, while premium tinned products (anchovies, sardines and mackerel in olive oil) gained traction in urban centres.
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Seafood Processing in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Aquaculture makes seafood processors more resilient but strains processing capacity
- Wild-catch supplies in Europe are tightening as catch limits, the decline of cod and herring stocks and stricter salmon-farming rules constrain availability. To protect supply and sustain growth, processors are diversifying into aquaculture, adding species such as seabass, gilthead seabream, tilapia and land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) trout and shrimp. EU policy explicitly promotes diversification into low-trophic species under its Strategic Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture and research initiatives like DIVERSIFY are providing husbandry protocols for new candidates such as amberjack and meagre.
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Revenue
€61.7bn
Employees
206k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
Bottom 5 Countries
- North Macedonia -15.0%
- Bosnia & Herzegovina -12.9%
- Hungary -9.6%
- Denmark -3.2%
- Iceland -2.0%
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Seafood Processing in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mowi ASA | 5,932.9 | 1,045.5 | 17.6 | |
PP Groep Katwijk BV | 2,971.7 | 240.3 | 8.1 | |
Hilton Food Group | 4,993.2 | 114.1 | 2.3 |
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Seafood Processing in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Seafood Processing industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Seafood Processing industry in Europe is €61.7bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Seafood Processing industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 7,589 businesses in the Seafood Processing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Seafood Processing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Seafood Processing industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Seafood Processing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Seafood Processing industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Seafood Processing industry in Europe include?
Frozen seafood and Fresh or chilled seafood are part of the Seafood Processing industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Seafood Processing industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Seafood Processing industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Seafood Processing industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Seafood Processing industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Seafood Processing in Greece
- Seafood Processing in Russia
- Seafood Processing in Slovakia
- Seafood Processing in Hungary
- Seafood Processing in Switzerland
- Seafood Processing in Poland
- Seafood Processing in Finland
- Seafood Processing in Slovenia
- Seafood Processing in Austria
- Seafood Processing in Romania
- Seafood Processing in Norway
- Seafood Processing in Italy
- Seafood Processing in the UK
- Seafood Processing in Denmark
- Seafood Processing in Germany
- Seafood Processing in Latvia
- Seafood Processing in Croatia
- Seafood Processing in the UK
- Seafood Processing in Germany
- Seafood Processing in Spain
- Seafood Processing in France
- Seafood Processing in Lithuania
- Seafood Processing in the Netherlands
- Seafood Processing in Belgium
- Seafood Processing in Sweden
- Seafood Processing in Estonia
- Seafood Processing in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Seafood Processing in Europe
- Seafood Processing in Portugal
- Seafood Processing in Czechia
- Seafood Processing in Serbia
- Seafood Processing in Turkey
- Seafood Processing in Ireland
- Seafood Processing in Bulgaria
- Seafood Processing in Iceland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry process and preserve fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other seafood. The industry includes factory ships that process seafood, unless they also engage in fishing activities and excludes the processing of products derived from marine mammals. The preparation of frozen fish dishes and the manufacture of fish soups also fall outside the scope of the industry.
Related Terms
AQUACULTUREBYCATCHHIGH-PRESSURE PROCESSING (HPP)TRACEABILITYWhat's included in this industry?
Frozen seafood Fresh or chilled seafood Seafood in batter or breadcrumbs Fishmeal Canned/preserved seafood Smoked, dried and salted seafoodCompanies
Mowi ASAPP Groep Katwijk BVHilton Food GroupIndustry Code
102 - Processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans and molluscs in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Consumers balance cost pressures with convenience
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Seafood Processing in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Supermarkets are a goldmine for seafood processors. With the capacity for bulk buying and a knack for catering to evolving consumer preferences, these retailers provide easy access to a wide range of seafood for regular shoppers.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Seafood Processing in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Market share concentration is low. Many small to medium-size companies coexist, creating a diverse and competitive landscape where no large players dominate.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Mowi ASA
- Countries of operation for PP Groep Katwijk BV
- Countries of operation for Hilton Food Group
- Countries of operation for Thai Union Group PCL
- Countries of operation for Leroy Seafood Group ASA
- Countries of operation for Young's Seafood Ltd
- Countries of operation for Nomad Foods Ltd
- Countries of operation for Labeyrie Fine Foods
- Countries of operation for Iceland Seafood International
- Countries of operation for Royal Greenland A/S
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Europe's seafood processing and preservation industry faces stringent and evolving regulatory standards. Regulations focus on sustainability, food safety and traceability, ensuring product quality while protecting marine ecosystems and consumer health.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Seafood Processing in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Eco-conscious seafood processors boost profit by focusing on sustainable production methods. Consumers and regulators are willing to pay more for sustainably produced seafood, so the move to increase sustainability has driven up profit.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Seafood Processing in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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