Asia-Pacific Canned Seafood - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The asia-Pacific canned seafood market size was valued at USD 38.51 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 38.93 billion in 2026 to reach USD 41.1 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 1.09% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This report is Segmented by Species/Type (Canned Fish, Canned Shrimp, Canned Prawns, Other Types), Packaging Material (Steel Cans, Aluminum Cans, Retort Pouches, Other), Product Form (Whole, Chunks/Pieces), Distribution Channel (On-Trade, Off-Trade), and Geography (China, Japan, India, and More). Market Forecasts are in Value (USD) and Volume (Tons).

Asia-Pacific Canned Seafood Market Trends and Insights

Convenience attributes and extended shelf life capabilities in canned seafood

Canned seafood, which is often fully cooked and deboned, provides the convenience of being ready-to-eat or ready-to-use. This enables consumers to prepare meals quickly without the need for thawing, cleaning, or complex cooking. Such convenience caters to the fast-paced lifestyles of urban residents, single-person households, and busy families. Consequently, products like canned tuna, salmon, and mixed seafood have become staples for salads, sandwiches, rice bowls, and lunchboxes, both at home and in foodservice. For example, as of the end of 2024, South Korea's welfare ministry reported that single-person households totaled 8.05 million, accounting for 36.1% of the population. With a shelf life exceeding 24 months, canned seafood serves as a critical pantry item, particularly in markets where cold-chain infrastructure lags behind consumption needs. In Indonesia, for instance, rural electrification reached 99% in 2024, yet refrigerator ownership remains limited in outer islands. In such areas, ambient-stable protein sources like canned seafood address a significant gap. Additionally, retort processing at 121 degrees Celsius ensures safety by eliminating microbial risks without requiring preservatives. This process appeals to health-conscious consumers who carefully examine ingredient labels. Beyond regular consumption, emergency preparedness also drives demand. For instance, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government recommends households stock three days' worth of shelf-stable food. Following earthquake advisories, canned tuna sales experienced a significant increase.

Demand generation through urbanization and fast-paced lifestyles

Urban populations in the Asia-Pacific region are growing, with China's urbanization rate reached 67% in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. In rapidly growing megacities, professionals with limited time are increasingly turning to ready-to-eat solutions as an alternative to traditional meal preparation. Canned seafood has emerged as a convenient option, offering a quick 90-second microwave preparation time while delivering 20 grams of protein per 100-gram serving, catering to the nutritional needs of these busy individuals. In India, the expanding middle class is driving a shift in consumption patterns, with canned tuna gaining traction in modern trade channels. It is being adopted as a versatile ingredient for sandwiches and salad toppings, categories that were previously dominated by chicken. Additionally, the rise in single-person households across the region has brought greater focus to portion control and minimizing food waste. These priorities align well with the inherent benefits of 150-gram and 200-gram canned formats, which are designed to meet the needs of this growing demographic.

Environmental sustainability concerns including overfishing and depletion of marine stocks constraining supply

Concerns over environmental sustainability, especially regarding overfishing and the depletion of marine stocks, are putting the brakes on the Asia-Pacific canned seafood market. These issues are limiting the availability of raw materials, driving up procurement costs, and introducing regulatory challenges that disrupt both production and exports. Wild tuna stocks, particularly in the Western and Central Pacific, a key source for the global canned-tuna supply, are facing increasing pressures. Notably, the biomass of bigeye tuna is declining, straining its sustainable yield. In response to these pressures, Japan's Fisheries Agency slashed bluefin tuna quotas by 15% in 2024. This move has compelled processors to pivot towards skipjack and yellowfin varieties, which come with lower price premiums. Furthermore, processors without certified supply chains are feeling the pinch, as they grapple with eroding margins while competing for a dwindling volume of compliant raw materials.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Protein-rich food products driven by health consciousness
• Growth in aquaculture production providing reliable raw material sources
• Strict fishing quotas, regulatory measures, and environmental guidelines

Segment Analysis

Canned fish accounted for 75.62% of the market share in 2025 and is expected to grow at a rate of 2.71% through 2031, surpassing all other species categories. Tuna fish, including skipjack, yellowfin, and albacore, lead this segment, supported by robust supply chains in Thailand and the Philippines, where major players like Thai Union Group and Century Pacific Food operate large-scale processing facilities. Salmon is establishing a premium niche, with Australian and Japanese brands introducing single-origin, wild-caught variants priced higher than standard tuna SKUs. These premium products attract affluent consumers seeking higher omega-3 content and lower mercury levels. Sardines and mackerel continue to be staples in cost-sensitive markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines, but climate-induced catch variability is undermining their role as reliable budget options.

Canned shrimp and prawns, while holding a smaller share of the market, are gaining traction, particularly in China's food-service industry. Hot-pot and noodle chains in the region prefer these products for their convenience, portion control, and extended shelf life, which align with operational efficiency. Other seafood types, including crab, clams, and squid, cater to niche culinary applications but face stiff competition from frozen alternatives that offer superior texture retention. To stay competitive and meet evolving consumer preferences, processors are focusing on innovation by introducing value-added products such as flavored tuna pouches and ready-to-eat salmon salads. These new formats aim to enhance convenience and appeal to health-conscious and time-pressed consumers.

Steel cans maintained a significant 64.82% market share in 2025, primarily due to their exceptional durability, high recyclability, and compatibility with high-temperature retort processing methods. These attributes make steel cans a preferred choice for various applications, ensuring their continued dominance in the market. On the other hand, retort pouches are anticipated to grow at a steady rate of 1.39% through 2031. This growth is largely attributed to their lightweight nature, which significantly reduces freight costs, particularly for long-haul shipments originating from Southeast Asia and destined for markets in Australia and Japan. Aluminum cans occupy an intermediate position in the market, offering a lighter alternative to steel cans but at a higher material cost. These cans are predominantly used in premium segments where brands prioritize recyclability and enhanced shelf appeal to attract environmentally conscious consumers.

In 2024, regulatory changes in Australia and South Korea mandated the use of BPA-free epoxy linings for food-contact cans. This requirement increased coating costs, compelling smaller processors to either consolidate operations or exit the market altogether. Retort pouches, however, completely avoid this issue by utilizing polyester and nylon laminates, which do not require phenolic resins. Additionally, Japan's Toyo Seikan Group introduced an innovative transparent retort pouch in 2024, allowing consumers to visually inspect product quality before making a purchase. Other packaging materials, such as glass jars and rigid plastic containers, continue to face limitations due to their susceptibility to breakage and higher per-unit costs, which restrict their market penetration. The shift toward retort pouches is particularly noticeable in single-serve packaging formats, which are increasingly popular among urban millennials seeking convenience and portability.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Species/Type
  • Canned Fish
    • Tuna
    • Salmon
    • Sardines
    • Mackerel
    • Other Canned Fish
  • Canned Shrimp
  • Canned Prawns
  • Other Types
• By Packaging Material
  • Steel Cans
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Retort Pouches
  • Other Packaging Material
• By Product Form
  • Whole
  • Chunks/Pieces
• By Distribution Channel
  • On- Trade
  • Off-Trade
    • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
    • Convenience Stores
    • Online Retail
    • Specialty Stores
    • Other Off-Trade Distribution Channels
• By Country
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Indonesia
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Thai Union Group
• Nippon Suisan Kaisha (NISSUI)
• Dongwon Industries
• Century Pacific Food Inc.
• Yuehai Feed Group Co., Ltd.
• Kyokuyo Co., Ltd.
• Tri Marine Group
• Tropical TC Boy Sdn Bhd.
• Spectra International Limited
• FCF Co., Ltd.
• Pataya Food Group
• Princes Group
• Bumble Bee Foods LLC
• King Oscar AS
• Wild Planet Foods Inc.
• Shanghai Maling Aquarius Co., Ltd.
• China Tuna Industry Group
• PT Jaya Wirawan (Indonesian Canning)
• Abad Fisheries Pvt Ltd.
• Maruha Nichiro Corporation

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support