Seafood sales at U.S. retail stores maintained their momentum from March and surged again in April, largely thanks to continued tariff concerns leading to stockpiling behavior and a late Easter holiday this year.
Frozen seafood sales shot up 11.4 percent by value to USD 673 million (EUR 604 million) in the month, surpassing all other frozen proteins, while sales by volume in the category grew 3.3 percent, according to new Circana data analyzed by Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based research firm 210 Analytics.
Fresh seafood sales increased 7.5 percent by value to USD 673 million (EUR 604 million), while sales by volume increased 7.8 percent.
Ambient seafood sales rose 3.4 percent by value to USD 261 million (EUR 234 million), while sales by volume soared by 7.6 percent.
“[This year’s] April had three weeks of Lent and holiday sales. This resulted in substantial growth for fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable seafood,” 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink said.
Fresh shrimp in particular had a “massive month,” Roerink said, as sales by value jumped 20 percent. Salmon comprised nearly half of all refrigerated seafood sales in April, with sales by value rising 6.6 percent to USD 320.4 million (EUR 287 million). Trout sales also increased 22.7 percent, and cod sales rose 15 percent in April.
In frozen seafood, shellfish sales increased 11.4 percent by value, led by a 13.6 percent increase in shrimp, Circana found. Frozen pollock sales by value soared 20.8 percent, tilapia sales increased 12 percent, and salmon sales inclined nearly 7 percent.
In the ambient category, canned seafood sales have …
