North America Frozen and Canned Seafood Market 2025–2033: Rising Appetite for Convenience Meets Sustainability Shift

The North American seafood aisle is undergoing a silent revolution—one freezer case and tin can at a time. Once perceived as a practical alternative to fresh fish, frozen and canned seafood has now moved into the mainstream, fuelled by lifestyle shifts, improved preservation technologies, booming retail access, and consumer awareness around protein-rich diets.

According to Renub Research, the North America Frozen and Canned Seafood Market, valued at US$ 24.26 billion in 2024, is forecasted to reach US$ 26.84 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 1.14% from 2025 to 2033. Though the growth rate may seem cautious, the underlying transformation of the category—from emergency pantry staple to preferred everyday protein—tells a bigger story.

Let’s explore the evolving dynamics, emerging business opportunities, and competitive landscape shaping this resilient market.

What Exactly Defines the Market?

Frozen and canned seafood refers to fish, shellfish, and other marine products preserved through industrial freezing or canning to prolong shelf life while maintaining flavor, texture, and nutrition.

Frozen seafood includes shrimp, cod, salmon, calamari, fillets, and pre-battered or breaded products—flash frozen to lock in freshness.

Canned seafood includes tuna, sardines, salmon, clams, crab meat, and mixed seafood packs stored in brine, oil, or sauces for long-term use.

These products have expanded far beyond basic pantry utility. Today, they play an important role in:

✔ Weeknight family meals

✔ High-protein gym diets

✔ Restaurant supply chains

✔ Instant snacks for urban workers

✔ Subscription seafood boxes

✔ Sustainable eating preferences

Their appeal lies in year-round availability, affordability, minimal preparation, and extended shelf life—a combination fresh seafood cannot always deliver.

Growth Drivers Powering Market Expansion

1. Demand for Convenient, Protein-Rich Diets

North American consumers are prioritizing nutrition, health, and time efficiency—three areas where frozen and canned seafood excel.

Seafood delivers lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it increasingly popular among:

Fitness communities

Flexitarians reducing red meat intake

Households seeking affordable nutrition

Consumers exploring heart-healthy diets

Recent consumer studies reveal that 80% of U.S. adults still prefer animal protein, with seafood gaining favor alongside poultry and eggs due to perceived health benefits. Younger generations in particular are driving the protein-diversification wave, blending traditional and alternative protein sources.

2. Technology is Making Frozen Feel Fresher

Advancements in food preservation and supply chain logistics have completely redefined quality benchmarks.

Key developments include:

Flash freezing for peak freshness retention

Vacuum sealing and HPP (High-Pressure Processing) for bacteria-free, longer shelf life

Smart packaging (recyclable cans, BPA-free linings, easy-open lids)

Digital traceability from ocean-to-shelf

Cold-chain innovation ensuring temperature stability across long-haul distribution

A notable 2023 industry milestone: Texas-based American Canning introduced recyclable aTULC aluminum cans in the U.S., enhancing sustainability and widening beverage canning possibilities—indicating broader material innovation trends across packaged foods, including seafood.

3. Retail Availability Has Never Been Higher

Seafood is more accessible than ever—all thanks to the evolution and diversification of retail channels.

Channel Growth Edge

Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Largest channel, constant promotions, private-label SKUs

Convenience Stores Grab-and-go canned seafood, ready-to-eat meals

E-commerce & D2C Subscription boxes, exotic seafood, transparency features

Specialty Retailers Premium, organic, and sustainable product lines

In 2025, cultured seafood made its retail debut on the West Coast, as BlueNalu launched lab-grown bluefin tuna in California, signaling a long-term sustainability shift that could influence frozen and canned seafood demand patterns.

Market Challenges That Cannot Be Ignored

1. Sustainability and Overfishing Pressures

Modern consumers want not just healthy food, but ethically sourced food. This puts pressure on seafood suppliers to:

adopt MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) or ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) certifications

prove catch traceability

reduce bycatch and ocean ecosystem impact

However, compliance is expensive, complex, and not universally accessible, leaving smaller suppliers at a disadvantage.

2. Supply Chain and Price Volatility

The sector continues to face disruptions due to:

Climate-imposed fishing unpredictability

Port congestion and shipping delays

Rising fuel and refrigeration costs

Labor shortages within fisheries, logistics, and processing plants

Import-reliant supply chains exposed to currency fluctuations

All of these lead to unstable pricing at retail, making planning alignment difficult for suppliers and retailers alike.

Category Spotlight: Shrimp & Fish Rule the Market

🦐 Shrimp: The Consumer Favorite

Most popular across both frozen and canned formats

Sought for flavor versatility, quick preparation, and high protein

Major demand in peeled, deveined, pre-cooked, and cocktail-ready formats

Supported by growing certified aquaculture farms

🐟 Fish: Household Staple + Foodservice Mainstay

Canned tuna, salmon, and sardines remain pantry essentials

Frozen cod, tilapia, haddock, and salmon dominate retail freezer aisles

Growing demand for omega-3 rich and traceable fish products

Sustainability labeling increasingly influences purchase decisions

Distribution Breakdown: Where Consumers Are Buying

Convenience Stores: Fast Food, But Make it Healthy

Ideal for impulse purchase and on-the-go snacking

Popular SKUs: canned tuna/ sardines, microwave-ready shrimp bowls, breaded fish strips

Strong presence in urban and transit-heavy areas

Online Channels: The Fastest-Growing Retail Frontier

Offers wider variety, subscription models, and transparency

Delivers premium imports, gourmet seafood kits, and sustainably sourced catalogs

Enabled by insulated, tech-backed cold packaging for last-mile delivery

Builds loyalty via discount bundles, auto-replenish, and diet-based suggestions

Country-Wise Insights

🇺🇸 United States — The Market Powerhouse

Largest market in North America

Strong demand driven by:

Nutrition awareness

Wide retail penetration

Sustainability-led branding

Product innovation in flavored and ready-to-eat formats

A key 2024 milestone: Island Creek Oysters launched the first U.S. European-style tinned seafood cannery, elevating premium canned seafood acceptance in the domestic market.

🇨🇦 Canada — Local & Sustainable First

Rich domestic seafood supply (salmon, cod, shellfish)

Strong consumer preference for:

Locally sourced

Ethically certified

Traceable seafood products

Retailers expanding private-label frozen seafood lines

E-commerce improving access for remote regions

In 2022, Canadian seafood brand Scout raised US$4M to scale its omnichannel retail strategy, demonstrating investor confidence in packaged seafood growth.

Market Segmentation Snapshot

By Type

Fish

Shrimp

Other Seafood

By Distribution

Convenience Stores

Online Channels

Supermarkets & Hypermarkets

Others

By Country

United States

Canada

Mexico

Rest of North America

Key Market Players (Analyzed by Overview, Leadership, Revenue & Strategy)

Admiralty Island Fisheries Inc.

American Tuna Inc.

Beaver Street Fisheries

Dongwon Industries Ltd

Dulcich Inc.

FCF Co. Ltd

Gulf Shrimp Co. LLC

High Liner Foods Inc.

Mowi ASA

Final Thoughts: The Future of Seafood is Packaged, Practical, and Purposeful

Although the category may not be sprinting, it is evolving strategically—shift by shift, shopper by shopper.

The winners from 2025–2033 will be brands that:

✔ Innovate in product convenience

✔ Prove sustainability, not just claim it

✔ Improve cold-chain efficiency

✔ Meet digital-first shoppers where they shop

✔ Blend transparency with affordability

Frozen and canned seafood in North America is no longer a fallback choice—it’s a strategic lifestyle decision.