China has created huge demand in the global seafood market and is likely to become a $20 billion seafood import market in the next few years.
In the first half of 2024, cumulative imports of aquatic products were $8.839 billion, and the import volume was 2.3295 million tons. From the cumulative data from January to August 2024, the total import volume was $11.682 billion and the import volume was 3.0641 million tons. In 2023, China's seafood imports were 4.6 million metric tons, worth $18.8 billion.
The top 10 most popular imported seafood products in the Chinese market are as follows:
Frozen shrimp: Especially Ecuadorian white shrimp, which occupies an important position in the Chinese market. Its price has certain advantages, and its thin shell, thick meat, and tender taste are suitable for a variety of cooking methods. It is in great demand both in daily family diets and in the catering industry.
Lobster: Mainly includes reef shrimp and other lobster species from Australia and New Zealand, as well as lobsters from the United States and Canada. Lobster is one of the representatives of high-end seafood with delicious meat and rich nutrition. It is often used to entertain guests or eat on important occasions.
Salmon: Norway and Chile are the main suppliers of salmon to the Chinese market. Salmon is tender and rich in unsaturated fatty acids. It is suitable for sashimi, sushi, etc. It is deeply loved by consumers and is a popular product in Japanese food stores and fresh supermarkets.
King crab: Northern king crabs mostly come from Russia and Alaska, the United States, while southern king crabs come from Chile. King crabs are huge, plump, and rich in crab legs. Although the price is relatively high, they are favored by many consumers for their unique taste and high quality.
Cod: Russia is one of the main sources of cod imported by China. Cod has tender meat, few bones, and is rich in nutrients such as protein. It is suitable for frying, baking, steaming and other cooking methods. It is a common seafood ingredient on the family table.
Squid: Indonesia, New Zealand and other countries are the main sources of squid imported by China. Squid tastes delicious and can be fried, grilled, boiled, etc., and processed squid shreds, dried squid and other snacks are also popular.
Crab: In addition to king crabs, imported crab varieties such as fresh sea crabs from Russia and British brown crabs are also popular among Chinese consumers. Different varieties of crabs have their own unique flavors and tastes, enriching consumers' choices.
Abalone: Some high-quality abalone varieties from abroad, such as Australian abalone, also have a certain share in the Chinese market due to their good quality and taste, and are one of the choices for high-end seafood consumption.
Scallops: Imported scallops are popular with consumers for their plump meat and delicious taste. Scallops can be steamed with garlic vermicelli, grilled, etc., with various methods and delicious taste.
Boston lobster: Compared with other lobster varieties, Boston lobsters are relatively affordable and have more delicious meat. In recent years, sales in the Chinese market have gradually increased.
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