Fish exporting countries 2026: Top exporters & market analysis

Fish exporting countries: 2026 Highlights by TradeInt trade data platform

• Indonesia leads TradeInt's tracked HS 03 fish export table at US$599.94 million (31.68% share) in H1 2026, with 79.28% of Indonesian fish shipments flowing to China at US$475.61 million through Xiamen Baojue Import Export via Bali Indah Samudera.
• Vietnam ranks second at US$433.66 million (22.90%) under HS 03. Still, its total seafood exports across all product groups reached US$5.8 billion in H1 2026, up 12.8% year-on-year, with shrimp, basa fish, and tuna, leading the wider seafood export table per VIR reporting VASEP.
• Global aquatic animal trade reached US$186 billion in 2024 per FAO SOFIA 2026, with 36% of the world's 235 million tonnes of aquatic production traded across 230 economic territories. China led global exports at 11% share, followed by Norway (9%), Vietnam (6%), Ecuador (5%), and Chile (5%).
• Aquaculture now supplies 53% of global aquatic food output and is projected to reach 56% by 2034, per FAO's Blue Transformation framework, shifting the underlying supply base for global fish exports toward farmed rather than wild-caught production.

Which country is the largest exporter of fish in 2026?

Based on TradeInt's global fish export data under HS 03 in H1 2026, Indonesia leads the tracked table at US$599.94 million (31.68%) driven by fresh and chilled fish (HS 030289) shipments through Bali Indah Samudera, followed by Vietnam at US$433.66 million (22.90%) with frozen fish meat (HS 030499) supplied through Công Ty Cổ Phần Thủy Sản Tắc Cầu.

Besides, the United States ranks third at US$197.47 million (10.43%) via Eimskip Logistics, ahead of Pakistan at US$110.48 million (5.83%) through Mukhi Noor Din Sons and Sri Lanka at US$77.78 million (4.11%) supplied by H M Western Pvt Ltd.

Top 5 fish exporting countries in H1 2026 (HS 03):

1. Indonesia - US$599.94 million (31.68%): the top tracked fish exporter, anchored by BALI INDAH SAMUDERA with fresh/chilled fish shipments (HS 030289) largely flowing to Chinese buyers.
2. Vietnam - US$433.66 million (22.90%): the second-largest exporter driven by CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN THỦY SẢN TẮC CẦU with frozen fish meat (HS 030499) across multiple Asian markets.
3. United States - US$197.47 million (10.43%): whitefish and specialty fish exports handled through EIMSKIP LOGISTICS INC, with Japan and France as top destinations.
4. Pakistan - US$110.48 million (5.83%): frozen fish exports handled through MUKHI NOOR DIN SONS with China as the primary destination.
5. Sri Lanka - US$77.78 million (4.11%): frozen fish fillets (HS 030449) shipped by H M WESTERN PVT LTD to European buyers via Yin Seafood GmbH.

Global fish export patterns in 2026 reflect a wider shift toward Asian-sourced aquaculture supply and Chinese demand absorbing significant regional volumes. According to FAO SOFIA 2026, aquaculture now supplies 53% of global aquatic food (235 million tonnes in 2024), with the segment concentrated in Asia at 89% of world aquaculture output.

Meanwhile, China's role has flipped from major exporter to net importer since 2022, with the country now the world's second-largest fish importer at 12% of global value alongside its 11% share of global exports.

Factors shaping fish exports by country in 2026:

• Global aquatic trade held at US$186 billion in 2024: FAO reports 36% of global aquatic production traded (up from 25% in the mid-1970s) across 230 economic territories, with finfish accounting for 68% of trade value.
• Aquaculture concentration favours Asian exporters: Around 89% of global aquaculture production comes from Asia, putting Vietnam, Indonesia, and other regional producers structurally ahead in fresh, chilled, and frozen fish trade.
• Sustainable stock ratio slipped slightly: FAO's SOFIA 2026 shows biologically sustainable assessed stocks fell from 64.5% to 62.4%, tightening the wild-catch supply base even as 72.6% of landings still come from sustainably fished stocks.

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Top 1: Indonesia - Largest fish supplier in the world

China dominates Indonesia's destination table at US$475.61 million (79.28%) through XIAMEN BAOJUE IMPORT EXPORT CO LTD, followed by the United States at US$32.84 million (5.47%) via SAMSKIP LOGISTICS, TradeInt's data from H1 2026.

Japan holds third at US$19.64 million (3.27%) through NIPPI INCORPORATED, ahead of Canada at US$12.16 million (2.03%) via HIGH LINER FOODS INC and Malaysia at US$10.56 million (1.76%) through QL FOODS SDN BHD.

Top 5 destinations of Indonesia fish exports in H1 2026:

1. China - US$475.61 million (79.28%): the dominant destination, handled through XIAMEN BAOJUE for fresh/chilled fish (HS 030289) that drives Indonesia's export volume.
2. United States - US$32.84 million (5.47%): frozen fillet cargoes (HS 030471) shipped via SAMSKIP LOGISTICS for the US retail and foodservice sector.
3. Japan - US$19.64 million (3.27%): premium fish products (HS 030520) handled through NIPPI INCORPORATED for Japanese processing buyers.
4. Canada - US$12.16 million (2.03%): frozen fillet exports (HS 030472) via HIGH LINER FOODS INC for Canadian seafood retail.
5. Malaysia - US$10.56 million (1.76%): frozen fish meat cargoes (HS 030499) through QL FOODS SDN BHD for regional processing.

Indonesia's fish export flow to China dominates the country's overall HS 03 mix, with almost four-fifths of tracked value concentrated on a single destination market. Because Indonesia's fishery output aligns with China's growing appetite for fresh and chilled whitefish, this corridor now supports the bulk of Indonesian export earnings under HS 03.

Beyond the tracked HS 03 range, Indonesia's overall fishery exports reached US$983.1 million by mid-March 2026 with an export volume of 197,718 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, confirming the wider fishery sector's steady growth alongside the HS 03 concentration.

Highlights of Indonesia's fish export market in 2026:

• China absorbs nearly four-fifths of Indonesia's tracked exports: US$475.61 million of Indonesia's H1 2026 fish exports flowed to China (79.28% share), a concentration risk that leaves Indonesia's HS 03 book exposed to Chinese import policy shifts.
• Fresh/chilled fish (HS 030289) dominates the product mix: Indonesia's top 4-digit HS code is 030289 (fresh/chilled fish), reflecting the country's coastal fishery output servicing regional buyers who need quick-turn shipments.
• Wider Indonesian fishery exports reached US$983.1 million by mid-March 2026: The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries data shows overall fishery output, including shrimp, tuna, and molluscs, went beyond the HS 03-only tracked value.

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Top 2: Vietnam

Based on TradeInt's Vietnam fish export records under HS 03 in H1 2026, China leads Vietnam's destination table at US$61.97 million (14.29%) through OCTOGONE GUANGDONG FOOD CO LTD, followed by South Korea at US$41.78 million (9.63%) via KOREA SURIMI CO LTD.

On the other hand, United States holds third at US$29.98 million (6.91%) through NTSF COMPANY INC, ahead of Thailand at US$27.28 million (6.29%) via MATSUDA SANGYO TRADING and Japan at US$21.01 million (4.84%) through MATSUDA SANGYO CO LTD.

Top 5 destinations of Vietnam fish exports in H1 2026:

1. China - US$61.97 million (14.29%): the top destination, handled through OCTOGONE GUANGDONG FOOD with frozen fish meat (HS 030499) for Chinese processing.
2. South Korea - US$41.78 million (9.63%): frozen fish meat shipments through KOREA SURIMI CO LTD for surimi and processed products.
3. United States - US$29.98 million (6.91%): frozen catfish fillets (HS 030462, Pangasius) via NTSF COMPANY INC for US retail buyers.
4. Thailand - US$27.28 million (6.29%): frozen fish meat handled through MATSUDA SANGYO TRADING for Thai canning and processing.
5. Japan - US$21.01 million (4.84%): frozen fish meat cargoes through MATSUDA SANGYO CO LTD for Japanese buyer network.

Vietnam's wider seafood story in 2026 outpaces the HS 03-only tracked view. According to VIR reporting VASEP data, Vietnam's total seafood exports reached US$5.8 billion in H1 2026 (up 12.8% year-on-year), with June alone at US$1.1 billion (up 21%), driven by shrimp, basa fish (Pangasius), tuna, and cephalopods across the wider product mix.

Because Chinese and Hong Kong demand climbed 37.9% year-on-year to US$1.5 billion in H1 2026 (26% of total Vietnamese seafood exports per VASEP), the country's export base is increasingly rebalanced toward regional Asian buyers rather than legacy US and EU markets.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is pursuing FAO's Blue Transformation policy directions and expanding value-added product processing, positioning it against Norway (2024 global #2 exporter at 9% share) in the wider global fish trade.

Observations on Vietnam's fish export picture in 2026:

• Basa fish drives the wider seafood table: Vietnam's basa (Pangasius) H1 2026 exports climbed 12.1% year-on-year to US$1.1 billion (19.4% of total seafood), per VASEP data reported by VIR.
• China+Hong Kong is the fastest-growing corridor: H1 2026 exports to China and Hong Kong rose 37.9% to US$1.5 billion, a corridor VASEP flagged as central to Vietnam's growth strategy.
• Vietnam ranks #3 globally by FAO's wider aquatic-food trade: FAO SOFIA 2026 pegs Vietnam at 6% of global aquatic animal exports in 2024 - third after China (11%) and Norway (9%).

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Top 3: United States

Powered by TradeInt's United States fish export records, Japan leads the US destination table at US$49.18 million (24.90%) through KYOKUYO CO LTD, followed by France at US$48.05 million (24.34%). China stands 3rd at US$29.58 million (14.98%), ahead of Burkina Faso at US$7.89 million (4.00%) and South Korea at US$7.86 million (3.98%) through GOLDEN TECH INTERNATIONAL INC.

Top 5 destinations of US fish exports in H1 2026:

1. Japan - US$49.18 million (24.90%): frozen fish (HS 030910) handled through KYOKUYO CO LTD for Japanese specialty seafood importers.
2. France - US$48.05 million (24.34%): fresh Atlantic fish (HS 030255) cargoes for French wholesale seafood markets.
3. China - US$29.58 million (14.98%): live and fresh fish (HS 030200) shipments for the Chinese processing sector.
4. Burkina Faso - US$7.89 million (4.00%): frozen fish (HS 030300) cargoes serving the West African market.
5. South Korea - US$7.86 million (3.98%): fresh Atlantic fish (HS 030255) through GOLDEN TECH INTERNATIONAL INC for Korean buyers.

US fish exports skew toward premium destinations with high-value species mixes. Japan and France together absorb 49.24% of US H1 2026 fish exports under HS 03, both classic premium seafood markets. Because these buyers pay for specialty grades (fresh Atlantic species, frozen high-value fillets), US fish exports command higher unit prices than their volume-heavy Asian peers.

Meanwhile, the US remains the world's single-largest seafood importer at 15% of global value per FAO SOFIA 2026, showing that even for a country with substantial fish exports, the domestic market absorbs far more volume than it produces.

Patterns shaping US fish exports in 2026:

• Premium markets carry the export table: Japan and France combined account for 49.24% of US fish exports under HS 03 in H1 2026, reflecting the US industry's positioning in high-value niche categories.
• US fish exports specialise in Atlantic species: HS 030255 (fresh Atlantic fish) appears as the top HS for both the France and South Korea corridors, showing product specialisation into Atlantic-caught grades.
• The US is the world's #1 seafood importer: Despite the export activity, US seafood imports of 15% share of global value put the country in a large net-import position per FAO SOFIA 2026.

Which type of fish is common for export? Fish export data 2026

Fresh or chilled fish (HS 030289) leads the product breakdown at US$343.37 million (18.13%), with Indonesia as the top exporting country, followed by fish frozen (HS 030389) at US$334.29 million (17.65%), where Kazakhstan appears as the top exporter through customs transit records.

Next, fish meat excluding fillets, frozen (HS 030499) ranks third at US$184.56 million (9.75%), driven by Vietnam, ahead of fish edible offal and heads (HS 030572) at US$78.52 million (4.15%), also from Vietnam, and frozen fish fillets (HS 030489) at US$70.20 million (3.71%), again showing Kazakhstan as the top exporter.

Top 5 fish export categories in H1 2026:

1. Fresh or chilled fish (HS 030289) - US$343.37 million (18.13%): the largest tracked category, with Indonesia as the top exporting country supplying Chinese buyers.
2. Fish, frozen (HS 030389) - US$334.29 million (17.65%): shows Kazakhstan as the top exporter, reflecting transit and re-export activity through Kazakhstani customs rather than domestic capture.
3. Fish meat, excluding fillets, frozen (HS 030499) - US$184.56 million (9.75%): driven by Vietnam's basa (Pangasius) processing sector for global surimi and fillet markets.
4. Fish, edible offal, heads and maws (HS 030572) - US$78.52 million (4.15%): by-product category with Vietnam as top exporter serving Asian food and processing markets.
5. Fish fillets, frozen (HS 030489) - US$70.20 million (3.71%): frozen premium fillets, with Kazakhstan again appearing as the top exporter through transit-routed shipments.

The product mix shows global fish trade split between fresh/chilled shipments (largely served by Southeast Asian producers) and frozen/processed forms (dominated by aquaculture-led whitefish processors). Kazakhstan's appearance at the top of frozen categories reflects customs transit routing rather than domestic fishery output - Kazakhstan's only coastline is on the Caspian Sea, so those tracked values represent EU-bound re-export flows via Kazakhstani customs entry.

Meanwhile, Russian pollock and cod exports to China have surged in 2025-2026 per The Fishing Daily, contributing to the frozen-fish trade concentration on Northeast Asian and Central Asian routes.

Highlights of the global fish product mix in 2026:

• Fresh/chilled fish concentrates in Southeast Asian corridors: HS 030289 at US$343.37 million (18.13% of tracked) is Indonesia-led, matching the country's short-haul cold chain to Chinese buyers.
• Frozen fish categories show transit concentration: HS 030389 and HS 030489 both show Kazakhstan as top exporter, reflecting Russian-origin frozen fish routed via Kazakhstani customs to EU trader hubs.
• Vietnam dominates value-added categories: Vietnam is the top exporter for both HS 030499 (fish meat frozen) and HS 030572 (edible offal/heads), reflecting the country's processing-industry depth beyond raw fishery output.

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Where to source fish trade data and find serious, verified buyers?

Sourcing fish trade intelligence starts with matching the data type to the use case, because buyer discovery, supplier verification, price benchmarking, and market sizing each need different fields and time windows.

• FAO GLOBEFISH species reports: the authoritative source for global fish and aquatic-food trade volumes, aquaculture production, and processed-form breakdowns by market segment and species.
• National associations: VASEP (Vietnam), Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Indonesia), Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (US) publish country-level fish export data by destination and monthly cadence.
• Regional fisheries commissions: WCPFC, IATTC, ICCAT publish TAC decisions and catch-quota data that shape supply availability across major fishing grounds.
• Shipment-level trade records: TradeInt's Bill of Lading database holds 10B+ shipment records, and 500M+ verified business profiles across 220+ countries, letting buyers trace fish consignments by HS code, exporter name, and destination.

Access TradeInt data availability for HS 03 shipment records across 220+ countries, HS-code detail, and exporter-buyer profiles.

Conclusion

Fish exporting countries in 2026 concentrate on Indonesia at US$599.94 million (31.68% share of tracked HS 03 value), Vietnam at US$433.66 million (22.90%), and the United States at US$197.47 million (10.43%), with fresh or chilled fish (HS 030289) leading the product breakdown at US$343.37 million across Indonesian shipments to China.

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Frequently asked questions

Which country is the largest exporter of fish in 2026?

By value under HS 03 in H1 2026, Indonesia is the largest tracked fish exporting country at US$599.94 million (31.68% share), followed by Vietnam at US$433.66 million (22.90%) and the United States at US$197.47 million (10.43%).

Where does fish come from globally?

Global aquatic food production reached 235 million tonnes in 2024, with aquaculture supplying 53% of the total per FAO SOFIA 2026. Around 89% of world aquaculture output comes from Asia, making Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and India key structural suppliers of both fresh and processed fish to global export markets.

What type of fish is most exported?

Fresh and chilled fish is the largest exported category in H1 2026 tracked data at US$343.37 million (18.13% of tracked value), with Indonesia as the top exporting country. Frozen fish follows at US$334.29 million, and frozen fish meat at US$184.56 million.