Salmon Fish Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Species (Atlantic/ Aquaculture, Pacific), By Form (Fresh, Frozen, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 19.57 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.17%
Fastest Growing Segment	Frozen
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 31.35 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Salmon Fish Market will grow from USD 19.57 Billion in 2025 to USD 31.35 Billion by 2031 at a 8.17% CAGR. The Global Salmon Fish Market comprises the commercial exchange of anadromous species, predominantly Atlantic and Pacific salmon, recognized for their high protein and omega-3 content. The sector’s expansion is fundamentally driven by rising global health consciousness regarding the cardiovascular benefits of seafood, alongside improvements in aquaculture logistics that facilitate year-round availability independent of wild capture seasons. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, in 2023, Norway exported 1.2 million tonnes of salmon valued at NOK 122.5 billion, illustrating the significant scale of this international trade.

Nevertheless, market expansion is frequently impeded by substantial biological challenges, specifically the prevalence of sea lice and pathogens which negatively impact fish health and harvest yields. These biological issues compel regulatory bodies to impose strict biomass limitations on farming operations to mitigate environmental damage, effectively capping production capacity and preventing supply levels from aligning perfectly with the burgeoning global demand.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing consumer awareness regarding the nutritional benefits of omega-3 fatty acids serves as a fundamental catalyst for market expansion. Health-conscious demographics are aggressively incorporating salmon into their diets, prioritizing high-protein and heart-healthy options over traditional red meats. This trend is particularly potent in emerging economies, where rising disposable incomes allow for the adoption of premium proteins often associated with longevity and wellness. The shift is quantified by rapid growth in key consumption hubs; according to the Norwegian Seafood Council, August 2025, the salmon category in China expanded by 39% in the first half of the year, driven by a surging preference for fresh, nutrient-rich fillets suitable for raw consumption.

The expansion of commercial aquaculture and sustainable farming practices constitutes the second critical driver, enabling the industry to scale production despite the stagnation of wild capture fisheries. Major producers are investing heavily in advanced cage technologies and operational efficiencies to mitigate biological risks and maximize biomass output. These industrial advancements allow for consistent supply to meet the rising global demand, ensuring stability in international trade flows. According to Mowi, January 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Trading Update', the company achieved a record annual harvest of 502,000 tonnes in 2024, representing a 5.7% increase year-over-year. This production growth supports substantial value generation across the sector; according to Salmon Scotland, February 2025, international sales of Scottish salmon reached a record GBP 844 million in 2024, highlighting the continued economic robustness of established export markets.

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Key Market Challenges

Biological challenges, particularly the prevalence of sea lice and pathogens, stand as the primary impediment hampering the tangible growth of the Global Salmon Fish Market. These parasitic outbreaks directly degrade fish health and survival rates, reducing the total volume of harvestable biomass available for commercial exchange. Beyond the immediate loss of inventory, these biological issues trigger strict regulatory responses. Licensing authorities frequently utilize sea lice levels as a key metric for determining production capacity; when infestation thresholds are exceeded, regulators impose stringent biomass caps or "traffic light" restrictions that legally forbid farms from increasing their stock. This creates a bottleneck where production is artificially constrained by biological performance rather than market demand.

The economic magnitude of this constraint is evident in recent industry statistics. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, in 2024, approximately 57.8 million farmed salmon were lost in the sea phase. This substantial loss represents not only a direct reduction in revenue but also a failure to meet the biological criteria necessary for industry expansion. Consequently, the market struggles to scale its supply chain to align with rising global consumption, forcing the sector into a period of volume stagnation despite high value potential.

Key Market Trends

The expansion of Land-Based Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) represents a transformative shift designed to circumvent the biological limitations of traditional net-pen farming. By relocating production to controlled onshore environments, producers effectively eliminate exposure to sea lice and pathogens while optimizing water quality for accelerated growth. This method is increasingly moving from pilot phases to commercial scale, securing a reliable output that is immune to the volatile coastal conditions currently restricting conventional supply. According to Salmon Evolution, January 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Operational Update', the company validated this model by achieving a total annual harvest of 4,891 tonnes HOG in 2024, underscoring the rising industrial capacity and viability of land-based operations.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a distinct proliferation of value-added and ready-to-cook convenience products, driven by consumer lifestyles that demand high-quality seafood with minimal preparation time. Processing companies are aggressively expanding portfolios to include smoked, pre-marinated, and portion-controlled options, thereby capturing higher margins and decoupling revenue from the commoditized fluctuations of whole fish trading. This downstream integration directly addresses retail trends favoring healthy, easy-to-prepare meal solutions over raw commodities. According to Mowi, February 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Report', the company's Consumer Products division delivered a record performance with a total sold volume of 247,333 tonnes for the full year 2024, confirming the sector's strategic pivot toward processed retail goods.

Segmental Insights

Based on industry analysis, the Frozen segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the Global Salmon Fish Market. This expansion is primarily driven by advancements in preservation technology, such as flash-freezing, which locks in nutritional value and texture to rival fresh alternatives. These improvements allow suppliers to overcome logistical challenges, enabling the efficient distribution of high-quality salmon to non-coastal regions with an extended shelf life. Furthermore, the rising global demand for convenient, ready-to-cook protein options that minimize food waste continues to accelerate the adoption of frozen salmon among households and food service providers.

Regional Insights

Europe maintains a commanding position in the global salmon fish market, driven largely by significant aquaculture production in Norway and the United Kingdom. This regional dominance is reinforced by high consumer demand for healthy protein sources and a well-integrated supply chain that facilitates efficient distribution. Additionally, favorable geographical conditions allow for extensive farming operations, while strict adherence to safety regulations established by the European Union ensures high product quality. These factors combine to create a stable environment for production and trade, establishing Europe as the central hub for the global salmon industry.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, BioMar introduced "POWER H2O," a specialized feed formulation designed for waterborne feeding systems, during the Aqua Nor exhibition in Norway. This new product was developed to support the growing trend of deep-farming and submerged delivery methods, which are utilized to minimize sea lice exposure and reduce energy consumption. The company engineered the feed to withstand the physical demands of water transport, addressing issues such as pellet degradation and nutrient loss. This innovation represents a significant advancement in aligning feed technology with new farming infrastructures to enhance biological performance and operational sustainability.
• In May 2025, Mowi expanded its portfolio in the United States foodservice market by launching the "Mowi Signature" product line at the National Restaurant Association Show. This new offering consists of fresh, never-frozen Atlantic salmon sourced from the company’s operations in Norway and Scotland, specifically tailored for professional culinary applications. The product was designed to address labor shortages and operational efficiency in kitchens by providing chefs with pre-trimmed, descaled, and deboned fillets. Through this launch, the company aimed to deliver a consistent, high-quality solution that simplifies preparation while maintaining full traceability from farm to fork.
• In March 2024, SalMar entered into a strategic collaboration with the global food corporation Cargill to launch the "Salmon Living Lab," an ambitious research and development initiative. Announced at the North Atlantic Seafood Forum, this partnership focuses on addressing critical industry challenges related to fish biology, animal welfare, and sustainability in the aquaculture supply chain. As part of the initiative, the company committed an investment of approximately NOK 500 million to establish a dedicated innovation center. The project invites participation from other industry leaders and academic institutions to co-create solutions that ensure the long-term growth and environmental responsibility of salmon farming.
• In January 2024, King Oscar, a Norwegian seafood producer, introduced a new line of premium shelf-stable Atlantic salmon products in the United States market. This product launch featured skinless and boneless salmon fillets packed in extra virgin olive oil, available in distinct flavor varieties such as Mediterranean style and lemon. The company developed this offering to elevate the canned seafood category, distinguishing the new items from traditional skin-on and bone-in products. By utilizing sustainably farmed salmon and high-quality ingredients, the brand aimed to meet growing consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat seafood options that deliver superior taste and texture.

Key Market Players

• Lerøy Seafood Group ASA
• SalMar ASA
• Cermaq Group AS
• Mowi ASA
• P/F Bakkafrost Holding
• SEA DELIGHT LLC
• Nordlaks AS
• Atlantic Sapphire ASA
• Ideal Foods Ltd
• BluGlacier, LLC

By Species	By Form	By Region
Atlantic/ Aquaculture Pacific	Fresh Frozen Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Salmon Fish Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Salmon Fish Market, By Species:

• Atlantic/ Aquaculture
• Pacific

• Salmon Fish Market, By Form:

• Fresh
• Frozen
• Others

• Salmon Fish Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE