Global cod fish market value stood at USD 1,678.9 million in 2023. There has been a 6.8% y-o-y increase in the consumption of cod fish in the year to 2024, which would imply that in 2025 the global market would be USD 1,899.6 million. The sales growth across the world from the forecast period (2025 to 2035) would be by a 6.8% CAGR. Terminal forecast period end value of sales in the last forecasting year, 2035, is USD 3,667.6 million.
Demand for cod fish depends mainly on the increase in demand for high-grade fish products for food purposes. The use of cod fish stems from the fact that it has a light flavor, is flaky in texture, and has many applications within the kitchen.
It is consumed by most of the food worldwide and is on increasing demand as it has a high content of protein and nutrition. Also, increased demand in international seafood market as well as people's interest towards healthiness of the fish are fueling the demand for cod fish.
Apart from this, the advancement of technology used to process cod fish such as freezing, salting, and drying is enhancing cod fish supply in international markets. Furthermore, demand for cod fish will be affected by the growth in the use of sustainable fishing methods because customers continue to move towards buying sustainably caught products.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Cod Fish Industry Size (2025E) | USD 1,899.6 million |
| Projected Global Cod Fish Industry Value (2035F) | USD 3,667.6 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 6.8% |
As greater and greater attention is given to the sustainability of seafood sources, consumers are also becoming increasingly aware of the origin of seafood. Gaining demand for fish caught in an environmentally friendly process has fueled the trend towards consumer preference change. Further confusion among customers over matters of overfishing has also encouraged further sustainable catching activities by cod fishery companies.
Besides, nutritional factors of cod fish like protein and omega-3 fatty acid richness of cod fish also fuel cod fish product innovation, particularly in the health consumer market. The trend character has some space with frozen cod fillet, cod liver oil, and value-added cod fish.
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The following table gives us comparative study of six months' CAGR variation from base year (2024) to current year (2025) of global cod fish industry. This gives us significant information on performance change and illustrates realization of revenue patterns, thus giving stakeholders a clear vision of growth trend in the year. July to December is first half (H1) and January to June is second half (H2).
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 (2024 to 2034) | 6.3% |
| H2 (2024 to 2034) | 6.5% |
| H1 (2025 to 2035) | 6.6% |
| H2 (2025 to 2035) | 6.8% |
The industry is expected to grow at a growth rate of 6.6% during the first half (H1) decade 2025 to 2035 and at a higher growth rate of 6.8% in the second half (H2) of the decade. Growth rate in the second half of the decade witnesses an improvement due to increasing demand for health-conscious and sustainably produced cod fish products. During the first half (H1) of the decade, the company increased by 30 BPS, while during the second half (H2), the company would increase at a faster rate of 20 BPS.
This growth trend considering health trends and sustainability issues places the cod fish market on a path of prosperity in the long term in the time frame of a couple of years to come. Lastly, although the cod fish business is ready to expand, it is also challenged by genuine threats of overfishing, depleted environment, and regulatory limitations.
The proprietors of the cod fishing venture shall be compelled to address such a challenge in an attempt to guarantee that the cod fishing venture becomes an operational and sustainable venture in the future.
Government firms, home-based firms, and upstart Chinese firms concentrate the global cod fish market. Seafood culture, white fish demand, excess demand for frozen fish and value-added fish market drive the marketplace. Home-based firms balance local demand satisfaction and supply chain procedures.
Regional players enjoy super massive regional market size within European, North American, and Asian-Pacific markets. Regional nations such as the United States and Canada of North America enjoy super massive regional fish catching and fish processing industries with domestic and international supply of fresh frozen cod.
Regional players enjoy availability of high-value supplies of super superior quality cod fish resources to Atlantic and Pacific Ocean-based local seafood wholesalers, restaurants, and supermarkets.
It is not only the consumption and buying by Europe of cod fish but also a place of production with indigenous markets available in Norway, Iceland, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Icelandic and Norwegian companies have a clean slate in the matter of their production of cod to a large extent from the North Atlantic fisheries.
Management in European markets is firm-by-firm management. Management of companies in European markets is regulation of fish companies and fish quota. Regionally based actors sustainable cod fishing for the sake of coming under the EU policy and export. Regionally based players value-added imported cod fish are found in the Asia-Pacific region.
The two regionally established major seafood markets are South Korea and Japan, both of which depend on the importation of the cod from the North American and the European countries. The regional companies' value-added products include frozen fillets, fish sticks, among other value-added seafood.
Chinese companies also dominated the global cod fish market in countries with higher exportation, processing, and importation from overseas. China is a foreign country which processes cod fish and local companies specialize in export, freeze, and fillet to overseas. They are low-cost companies and have massive export channels and hence market dominant.
Rise in Demand for Cod Fish in Low-Fat and High-Protein Diets
Shift: Health seekers, bodybuilders, and elderly are seeking low-fat protein foods to manage weight, muscle strength, and health. Cod fish, a high-protein and low-fat food item, is being sought more and more by health seekers, bodybuilders, and the elderly. Low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets, and high-protein diets have also made cod a popular food item, particularly in North America, Europe, and East Asia.
Strategic Response: Companies are responding to this demand with the introduction of protein-enriched cod meal. Icelandic Provisions introduced protein-enriched ready-to-eat cod fillets, which enhanced sales among health-food-purchasing consumers by 28%.
Gorton's Seafood introduced air-fried cod fillets, low-fat but high-protein seafood varieties of fried fish. Maruha Nichiro introduced protein supplemental foods from cod in Japan, targeting older shoppers and athletes. The introductions position cod as a high-end health-focused protein food.
Transition to Certified & Sustainable Cod Fish
Shift: As a consequence of overfishing issues impacts and increased worry regarding sustainable purchasing of seafood, consumers seek MSC-certified cod. Foodservice operators and consumers are demanding cod that is certified MSC, and the "correct" sourcing continues to grow more significant in importance as a consideration for buying by seafood buyers in North America and Europe.
Strategic Response: To fulfill the sustainability needs, large seafood businesses are boosting traceable and certified cod production. Young's Seafood shifted strategy with sustainable fisheries, obtaining all the cod ranges MSC-certified, registering a sales increase of 17% to green consumers.
Tesco and Carrefour extended responsibly sourced cod ranges, enhancing traceability and lower environmental impact. At the same time, Norwegian seafood businesses adopted traceability via digital QR tags on cod boxes so that end-users could guarantee origin of catch and sustainability state. Such innovations ensure customer confidence and cod fishery sustainability long-term.
Cod-Based Convenience Foods Growth
Shift: Convenience-driven cod product growth is driven by hectic lifestyles and ease of access to seafood. Seafood eaters, particularly in working families and urban dwellings, require ready-to-eat, quality seafood food that needs little kitchen effort.
Strategic Response: To capitalize on this trend, firms are launching microwaveable, air-fried, and ready-to-cook cod products. Findus (Europe) launched pre-marinated cod fillet kits, which boosted weekday seafood sales by 23%. High Liner Foods Canada launched pre-breaded air-fried cod strips targeting millennials and families needing convenience in meal solutions.
Dongwon F&B launched instant porridge cod in South Korea that started the functional meal replacement market trend. All these new launches place cod on the platform as a premium, convenient, and versatile seafood category.
Increasing Demand from Functional & Nutraceutical Businesses
Shift: Cod is becoming increasingly accepted as a functional food and supplement due to the fact that it is so high in omega-3s, collagen, and amino acids. Cod is becoming a real product due to the fact that individuals are well-being- and health-focused, and the aging populations of North America, Japan, and Europe.
Strategic Response: Seafood and supplement businesses are looking to cod-based bioactive ingredients to take advantage of increasing demand. Norwegian company Møllers diversified its portfolio of cod liver oil, such as brain function and immune system, and sales of supplements rose by 19%. Cod marine collagen peptides were launched by Vital Proteins for body-aware and health-oriented consumers. Ajinomoto launched Japan energy drinks with cod protein for adult customers interested in healthy aging.
Expanded Demand for Cod in Gourmet & Premium Foodservice Channels
Shift: Gourmet cod demand resulting from fish premiuming is found in high-end retail food, high-end restaurants, and high-end frozen food. Wild Norwegian and Icelandic cod are preferred by chefs and high-end consumers for their tenderness, light taste, and health benefits. The trend is most evident in Europe, North America, and upper-end Asian markets.
Strategic Response: Upscale seafood companies and food service companies are introducing chef-prepared, artisanal cod products. Marks & Spencer introduced hand-cut Icelandic cod loins, pushing gourmet seafood sales 21% above. European Michelin-starred restaurants are including dry-aged cod on menus, positioning cod in the luxury seafood category. In China, upscale internet retailers such as JD Fresh sell wild Atlantic cod at premium prices, positioning cod as a fine dining luxury product.
Growing uses of Cod in Vegetable-Based & Hybrid Seafood Alternatives
Shift: With other seafood alternatives and flexitarian eating becoming popular, companies have now turned to hybrid seafood products featuring actual cod with vegetable-derived ingredients. It satisfies consumers needing sustainability, lower meat consumption, and clean-labels but still wanting real seafood's taste and texture. The trend is actually very common in North America, Europe, and Asia where plant-based eating is increasing.
Strategic Response: Through this shift, companies are introducing hybrid and plant-based cod products. Good Catch Foods introduced plant-based cod fish cakes with wild-caught cod and pea and soy protein to appeal to green-aware consumers. Nomad Foods (Birds Eye owner) introduced a cod & chickpea burger that would appeal to flexitarian consumers looking for high-protein seafood.
And while all this is taking place in Japan, Marubeni Corporation created a 50% cod, 50% vegetable-based fish fillet that could help counteract the pressure of overfishing without compromising on the natural seafood taste. Hybrid foods like these position cod as a sustainable yet indulgent option in the new seafood market.
The following table shows the estimated growth rates of the top five territories expected to exhibit high consumption of cod fish through 2035.
| Countries | CAGR, 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| USA | 5.9% |
| Germany | 6.4% |
| China | 7.8% |
| Japan | 7.1% |
| India | 8.5% |
American cod fish market is growing as demand for lean, high-protein seafood protein options is on the rise. As consumer interest in healthy eating, low fat diets and sustainable fishing has increased, so too has cod as the recommended seafood option for retail consumers and foodservice applications.
USA Market Driving Growth of Premium Frozen Seafood, Ready-To-Cook Cod Portions and Eco-Certified Cod Products
Growth of Germany's cod fish market is also steady thanks to strict EU mandates, catching sustainable catch and traceability. There is a growing demand for MSC certified wild caught and organic cod fillets in all retail and fine dining.
With a growing interest in minimally processed seafood, German manufacturers are focusing on high-quality, fresh-packed cod fillets, as well as smoked cod varieties, and ready-to-cook seafood meal kits.
The cod fish market in China is expanding at a fast pace because frozen seafood market, breaded cod products, and process food for seafood exports are expanding in demand more rapidly in China. Government-supported seafood production ventures, combined with growing middle-class seafood consumption, are driving local processors to develop more value-added cod-based products.
Moreover, the expanding e-commerce seafood market of the China is supporting the demand for convenience, frozen and pre-marinated varieties of cod fish.
The market for Japan’s cod fish is bolstered by a robust demand for premium, high-quality cod that features in sushi, miso soup and traditional fish-based dishes. The Japanese consumer (who has historically only accepted Atlantic cod as either wild caught or premium, dry aged for fine dining applications).
Japan’s seafood research and innovative development is also yielding new sustainable cod aquaculture, as well as some promising new technologies for freezing the fish.
India’s cod fish industry is growing with the increasing consumption of white fish, awareness regarding omega-3 benefits, and increasing exports of seafood. Fish oil supplements derived from cod, cod-fortified seafood products, and processed cod fillets are also becoming increasingly popular.
Owing to the rapid urbanization and growing disposal income, cod is emerging as the seafood choice of the health-conscious consumer class in India.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Fresh & Frozen Cod (By Type) | 62.1% |
The fresh and frozen cod segment is expected to lead the cod fish market in the year 2025, holding market share of approximately 62.1% in that year. Being fresh, rich in nutrients, and low in processing, this segment is well-liked by consumers and even more liked by the users of high-processing products. Fresh and frozen cod is one of the favorite fish consumed in restaurants, home-cooked, and health-conscious consumers' menus, being mild in flavor, lean in protein, and easy to prepare.
Experts anticipate that there will be demand for a premium product (i.e., traceability and sustainability-linked) that will drive the growth of certified product in the years to come. Convenient options like pre-seasoned cod fillets and ready-to-cook are also gaining traction among time-starved consumers as a health-conscious meal choice.
As sustainable seafood diets and eco-friendly fishing patterns gain broader popularity, the frozen and fresh cod market segment is anticipated to experience constant expansion, innovation, and market development in the projected period.
| Segment | Value Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Breaded & Processed Cod (By Type) | 37.9% |
As demand is growing for easy, ready-to-eat seafood, the category of breaded and processed cod within the business is the market's biggest share at 37.9% in 2025. It encompasses diverse products ranging from the popular fish fingers and battered fillet to frozen fish and fish snacks in quick-service restaurants as well as the frozen food shelves. These products are the go-to source for families, busy professionals, and foodservice operators seeking convenient, value-for-money, tasty meal solutions.
With sustainability on their minds, brands are leveraging responsibly sourced cod, gluten-free breading choices and lower-sodium formulations to attract consumers who are seeking a healthier, more ethically sourced seafood alternative. Furthermore, novel cod-based protein snacks and ready-to-cook meal kits are appearing in the marketplace, which are appealing to consumers who are looking for high-protein and nutrient-dense alternatives to meat and poultry.
Technological advancements in frozen food storage and curing methods, and more environmentally friendly packaging options will allow this market to expand and diversify further, promising sustained market acceptance in other markets across the world thereby retaining its position in the seafood sector.
Some of the key players operating in the global cod fish market include Maruha Nichiro Corporation; high seas fishery; Nichiro; Fishery Corporation; Omega Protein Corporation; P & S Seafood LTD; Roy Seafood; PGP International; and Acqualinea. Companies are also developing traceability programs, innovations in frozen seafood, and international seafood supply chains.
Some of the established market players in the global cod market include Trident Seafoods Corporation, High Liner Foods Incorporated, Icelandic Group, Pacific Seafood Group, and Nippon Suisan Kaisha, and these companies have their expertise in the wild-caught cod processed and ready-to-eat cod fillets for retail supply and seafood distribution on a global scale. Several companies are growing their operations in Europe and North America to meet growing demand for high-quality cod products.
Among its key strategies are partnerships with sustainable fisheries, investment in cold-chain logistics and development of organic, antibiotic-free cod offerings. Manufacturers are also focusing on sustainable packaging and carbon-neutral seafood processing projects.
For instance:
The global cod fish industry is projected to reach USD 1,899.6 million in 2025.
Key players include Ice fish AS; Norway Royal Salmon ASA; Alliance Seafood AS; Andenesfisk AS; American Seafood Group; Norges Sjomatrad AS.
Europe is expected to dominate due to high demand for MSC-certified cod and premium seafood consumption.
The industry is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2025 to 2035.
Key drivers include rising demand for lean seafood protein, increasing consumer preference for sustainable fishing practices, and growing market penetration of ready-to-cook and processed seafood products.
The market includes various types of cod fish, such as Atlantic Cod Fish, Pacific Cod Fish, Greenland Cod Fish, and other regional varieties, catering to different consumer preferences.
Cod fish is sourced through both Farmed and Wild Captured methods, ensuring a steady supply for various market demands.
Cod fish is available in different forms, including Fresh, Canned, and Frozen, offering versatility for consumers and businesses.
Distribution occurs through both Direct Sales and Indirect Sales, ensuring accessibility across different market segments.
The market is segmented as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Central Asia, Russia and Belarus, Balkan & Baltic Countries, Middle East and Africa.
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Cod Fish Market
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