Canned Sardines Market Report 2026

The canned sardines market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $10.67 billion in 2025 to $11.66 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of canned seafood consumption, rising awareness of omega-3 benefits, growth of urban households, advancements in seafood preservation techniques, increased availability of canned fish products.

The canned sardines market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.04 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for healthy convenience foods, rising focus on sustainable seafood sourcing, expansion of premium flavored sardine variants, growing adoption in emerging markets, increasing use in foodservice and meal kits. Major trends in the forecast period include growing preference for affordable protein sources, rising demand for long shelf life seafood, expansion of value-added sardine products, increasing focus on nutrient-rich foods, enhanced emphasis on sustainable fishing practices.

The rise in demand for processed foods is expected to propel the growth of the canned sardines market going forward. Processed foods are food products that have undergone deliberate alterations from their natural state through methods such as cooking, curing, smoking, fermenting, or the addition of preservatives and flavor-enhancing ingredients. The increasing demand for processed foods is driven by changing consumer lifestyles, busier schedules, evolving eating habits, demographic shifts, and socioeconomic factors. Canned sardines, as a processed food product, offer high convenience and accessibility for time-constrained consumers, as they are ready-to-eat, shelf-stable, and require minimal preparation. These attributes make canned sardines an attractive option for quick meals and nutritious snacks. For example, in 2023, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a US-based federal agency, the total value of U.S. processed food product exports reached $36.59 billion, reflecting a 1.7% increase compared with previous years. Therefore, the growing popularity of processed foods is driving the expansion of the canned sardines market.

Major companies operating in the canned sardines market are increasingly focused on developing innovative offerings such as ready-to-eat sardine snack kits to meet the needs of busy consumers seeking convenient and nutritious seafood options. Ready-to-eat sardine snack kits are pre-packaged products that pair canned sardines with complementary components such as crackers, sauces, or nuts, delivering a portable, protein-rich meal solution that requires no preparation. For instance, in October 2024, Bumble Bee Seafoods, a US-based seafood company, launched a new line of sardine snack kits during National Seafood Month. These kits feature premium sardines combined with a variety of seasonings and accompaniments, designed to enhance flavor while offering an on-the-go snacking option suitable for lunches, travel, or quick meals. Each kit emphasizes balanced nutrition, ease of consumption, and minimal cleanup, highlighting the market’s shift toward convenient, value-added canned seafood products.

In July 2024, Newlat Food S.p.A., an Italy-based agri-food company, acquired Princes Limited for £700 million (approximately US $892 million). Through this acquisition, Newlat aims to significantly expand its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint, effectively doubling its product categories and strengthening its position as a leading multi-brand, multi-product food group in Europe. Princes Limited is a UK-based food and drink company specializing in the manufacturing and sourcing of a wide range of grocery and branded foods, including tinned fish, sauces, oils, and other ambient food products distributed across the UK and Europe.

Major companies operating in the canned sardines market are Brunswick Corporation, Thai Union Group (TUF), Bolton Group, Camil Alimentos, Century Pacific Food Inc., Frinsa del Noroeste S.A., Chicken of the sea, Hagoromo Foods Corporation, Tropical Food Manufacturing (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., Bumble Bee Food, FFM Berhad, Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, Nuri, Shines Sea Food, Wild Planet Foods, MW Polar, Crown Prince Inc., Matiz Espana, Ongreen Thailand Co, King Oscar AS, Safe Catch, Protigam Food Industries Sdn. Bhd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the canned sardines market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the canned sardines market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the canned sardines market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The canned sardines market consists of sales of plan sardines, oil sardines, and water sardines. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.