Fresh seafood sales at US retail increased in September following months of declines

Fresh seafood in a display case at a U.S.-based supermarket
Retail seafood sales saw small increases in September 2024 after months of declines | Photo courtesy of Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
6 Min

After several months of lagging sales values and volumes, the U.S. retail seafood market finally picked up in September with shelf-stable seafood and frozen shrimp seeing the biggest gains. 

According to new data from research firm Circana, analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based 210 Analytics, the value of fresh seafood sales grew 0.2 percent to USD 611 million (EUR 562 million); sales by volume in the category rose 0.6 percent. Overall frozen seafood sales value declined 0.3 percent to USD 579 million (EUR 532 million), but volumes increased 2.1 percent.

Shelf-stable seafood saw the biggest increases in September, with sales values rising 1.8 percent to USD 256 million (EUR 235 million), while volumes increased by 8.6 percent. A 6.2 percent decline in average price to USD 4.90 (EUR 4.51) per pound on average contributed to the volume increase. 

Frozen seafood prices also dropped 2.4 percent to USD 7.22 (EUR 6.64) per pound on average in the month, as deflation among top sellers like shrimp helped overall numbers. Frozen shrimp prices declined 4.7 percent, and frozen salmon prices dropped 4.8 percent.

Fresh seafood prices declined by 0.3 percent to USD 9.45 (EUR 8.69) per pound on average. As prices dropped slightly, overall sales values of some species increased. Fresh shrimp sales value increased 0.2 percent, while volumes increased 3 percent. Meanwhile, frozen shrimp sales values fell 3.8 percent in September, but volumes rose 0.9 percent.

“Finally, [there was] some positive news for seafood with the first signs of demand recovery for shrimp,” 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink said. "Given the enormous footprint of shrimp in [the] frozen [category], fingers crossed on the continuation of the recovery.” 

Sales of frozen finfish species performed better than frozen shrimp during September.

Frozen salmon sales values increased 1.4 percent, and volumes increased 6.5 percent. Frozen pollock sales values increased 2.8 percent, while volumes declined slightly by 0.8 percent.

In the fresh category, salmon sales values in September 2024 declined 0.2 percent, and volumes fell 2.6 percent compared to the same month of 2023. Crab sales values were also down 1.8 percent, and tilapia fell 3 percent. However, trout realized gains in both sales value, which increased by 15.4 percent, and volume, which increased by 22.5 percent. Cod sales values also rose 6.4 percent, and volumes increased 10.7 percent.

Roerink said the positive retail news for seafood in September and early October may be attributable to Americans ...


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