Global Seafood Supply by Region

Pacific Ocean's Dominance

The Pacific Ocean is the dominant region for global seafood production, accounting for ~41% of the global seafood production, as of CY 2024. This dominance is especially evident in molluscs, where the Pacific accounts for about 86% of global supply. The region also contributes over 48% of global crustaceans and over 32% of global finfish production, driven by key species such as anchoveta, Alaska pollock, and tuna.

Atlantic Ocean's Balanced Supply

The Atlantic Ocean maintains a strong presence in both wild capture and aquaculture, with major fisheries concentrated in the Northeast and Eastern Central Atlantic, accounting for about ~13% of global seafood production. The Atlantic also contributes to ~14% of global finfish, and ~10% of global crustaceans production. Key species in the Atlantic include salmon, Atlantic herring, cod, mackerel, and sardine.

Indian Ocean's Growing Contribution

The Indian Ocean too is expanding its seafood production through both wild capture and aquaculture, with its contribution to global seafood production being ~7% as of CY 2024. The Indian Ocean contributes to ~12% of global crustaceans and ~8% of global finfish production. Key species in this region include Indian oil sardine, mackerels, tunas, and prawns.

A Complex but Evolving Value Chain

While these regions collectively drive global seafood output, however, the value chain from harvesting up to retail is extremely fragmented and complex, involving unique complexities for each species, global nature of seafood trade, and presence of multiple stakeholders across the key stages. This results in significant inefficiencies in traceability, quality, and cost, leading to considerable challenges for each stakeholder. Technology solutions are streamlining the value chain, addressing fragmentation and enhancing efficiency, transparency, and sustainability through digital solutions.