Dry-Packed Scallops Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Dry-Packed Scallops Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 2.41 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.57 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 6.77%. These premium seafood products are characterized by being shucked and packaged without added water or sodium tripolyphosphate, a method that preserves their inherent moisture and distinct flavor profile. Market growth is largely underpinned by a shift in consumer preference toward clean-label protein options and the culinary benefits of untreated scallops, specifically their superior searing qualities compared to processed varieties. Additionally, the industry is bolstered by rising requirements for sustainable, high-quality seafood within the food service sector.

Despite this favorable outlook, the market faces substantial hurdles related to supply chain consistency and rigorous harvest quotas intended to mitigate overfishing. These regulatory restrictions can limit total volume and trigger price fluctuations across the global supply network, thereby affecting availability for major distributors. Highlighting these constraints, the New England Fishery Management Council set the projected landings for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery at 27.4 million pounds in 2024, a measure aimed at balancing commercial requirements with the long-term conservation of scallop stocks.

Market Drivers

The escalating consumer desire for all-natural, chemical-free seafood is fundamentally transforming the dry-packed scallops sector as shoppers increasingly check labels for additives such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STP). Health-focused consumers favor dry scallops because they are processed without water-retention chemicals, ensuring the protein remains nutrient-rich and void of artificial bulking agents that compromise flavor. This preference is clearly evident in retail trends; according to the 'Power of Seafood 2024' report by FMI - The Food Industry Association in March 2024, 66% of seafood consumers cite nutrition and health as key factors when selecting their primary seafood retailer, a trend that directly supports the clean-label dry scallop segment.

Simultaneously, growth in the premium foodservice and fine dining industries is driving market expansion, with chefs depending on the exceptional searing properties of dry scallops to deliver high-quality culinary results. Unlike wet scallops, which exude excess liquid during cooking, dry-packed options facilitate the precise caramelization necessary for gourmet presentation, maintaining their role as a staple in luxury dining.

The economic impact of this premium trade is significant globally; SeafoodSource reported in 'Japan posts food export record in 2024' (February 2025) that Japanese scallop exports rose to JPY 69.5 billion in 2024 as producers targeted high-demand regions like the United States. Furthermore, domestic value remains strong, with NOAA Fisheries reporting in April 2024 that the U.S. commercial Atlantic sea scallop fishery generated $360 million in 2023, highlighting the substantial capital derived from this premium resource.

Market Challenges

Stringent regulatory limits and harvest quotas constitute a major obstacle to the expansion of the global dry-packed scallops market. While essential for the long-term sustainability of fishery stocks, these conservation efforts inherently constrain the volume of raw materials available for processing and distribution. Consequently, the industry struggles with a structural inability to increase supply in line with growing global demand, resulting in supply chain volatility and inventory shortages. This cap on volume forces buyers to deal with unpredictable availability, complicating the negotiation of long-term contracts with key retail and food service partners.

The effect of these limitations is clearly demonstrated by recent adjustments in fishery management that have further restricted supply. In late 2024, the New England Fishery Management Council estimated that the annual projected landings for the 2025 fishing year would be approximately 18 million pounds. This reduction represents a supply contraction that directly caps the revenue potential for market participants. Such regulatory tightening inhibits the industry's ability to achieve volume growth, compelling companies to focus on managing scarcity rather than expanding their overall market share.

Market Trends

Stakeholders are rapidly reshaping supply chains through the strategic diversification of global sourcing to navigate harvest quota volatility and geopolitical trade barriers. Producers are actively redirecting raw materials from restricted markets, like China, toward alternative processing centers in Southeast Asia to guarantee inventory stability for the international market.

This shift enables the industry to bypass regional bottlenecks and ensure a steady product flow to major distributors. As noted by Haidong Seafood in the 'Japanese Scallop Exports on the Rise' article from June 2024, this structural pivot resulted in a 736% surge in Japan’s scallop exports to Vietnam in February 2024, effectively balancing volume losses from existing trade bans. By establishing these new trade routes, companies are protecting the dry-packed scallop market from regulatory risks and single-origin dependency.

In parallel, the growth of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer distribution channels is being fueled by a significant increase in home-based culinary activities. As consumers seek restaurant-grade ingredients for home cooking, dry-packed scallops are becoming increasingly popular in online and retail marketplaces for their superior searing qualities and absence of added moisture.

This shift in channels allows producers to skip traditional intermediaries and offer premium, "chef-ready" proteins directly to households. Data on consumer behavior supports this transition; the FMI 'Power of Seafood 2024' report from March 2024 indicates that home-cooked seafood accounted for 59% of total seafood consumption in 2024, rising from 53% the prior year. Accordingly, suppliers are refining cold-chain logistics to meet this escalating demand for high-quality seafood delivered directly to consumers.

Key Players Profiled in the Dry-Packed Scallops Market

• Northern Wind Seafood, LLC
• HK JEBN Limited
• PanaPesca USA Corporation
• Seacore Seafood Inc.
• Robert Wholey Co.
• Ocean Spray Seafood, Inc.
• Stavis Seafoods
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation
• Mazzetta Company, LLC
• Young's Seafood Limited

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Dry-Packed Scallops Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Dry-Packed Scallops Market, by Product Type:

• Frozen Scallops
• Dehydrated Scallops
• Pre-cooked Scallops

Dry-Packed Scallops Market, by Distribution Channel:

• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Specialist Stores
• Online
• Others

Dry-Packed Scallops Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Dry-Packed Scallops Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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