Frozen and fresh seafood continued their retail surge in July, with further strong sales predicted for the remainder of the year.
Frozen seafood sported the highest sales of all frozen proteins in July 2021, spiking 43.7 percent versus July 2019, according to new data from 210 Analytics and IRI Worldwide. However, frozen sales dropped 4.1 percent versus July 2020 to reach USD 557 million (EUR 475 million).
“Frozen seafood has been a growth leader across frozen food offerings month after month. Both in 2020 and the first half of 2021, sales have grown because of more people buying frozen seafood, people buying it more often, and spending a little more per trip,” 210 Analytics Principal Anne-Marie Roerink said in the report.
While frozen fish sales lead the category, frozen raw shrimp sales jumped nearly 62 percent, according to Roerink.
Even though fresh seafood sales increased 28.3 percent this July versus July 2019, sales dropped 7.9 percent versus 2020. Sales were strongest during the Fourth of July holiday week at USD 152 million (EUR 130 million).
“This was down double-digits from 2019, but up 18.5 percent versus the pre-pandemic normal of 2019,” Roerink said.
Salmon continues to be the powerhouse in fresh seafood in July, rising 0.7 percent versus 2020 and 28.3 percent versus 2019 to reach USD 568 million (EUR 485 million).
“The strength of salmon was especially evident, accounting for more than a third of all fresh seafood sales,” Roerink told SeafoodSource. “Combined with consistent strength of shrimp and cod, it shows that people truly have integrated fresh seafood as part of their routine meals.”
Four other fresh products realized an increase versus 2020: shrimp, tilapia, cod, and crab cakes.
Shelf-stable seafood sales dropped nearly 5 percent versus July 2020, but sales increased 4.5 percent versus July 2019. Led by tuna, ambient seafood has consistently outperformed the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline between March and July 2021, Roerink said.
While supermarkets and consumers say they are stockpiling food due to price increases and the increase in the COVID-19 delta variant, Roerink doesn’t expect to see “panic stockpiling” similar to what occurred in March 2020 and the following few months.
“First, inflation that has hit all areas of the store – including seafood – will dampen a lot of stockpiling or buying more than is needed right now,” Roerink said. “Two, there was a true sense of panic last year. No one knew if stores would be open, if food would be available and if so, what. So people stocked up for two to three weeks’ worth of food and beverages across the pantry, fridge, and freezer.”
However, Roerink said she expects to see some shifting back from enthusiastic reengagement with on-premise restaurant dining to more takeout and delivery options, combined with more meal preparation at home.
“So, I do think we’re going to see a few strong months for retail, but not big spikes,” Roerink said.
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