Dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets market in Lithuania, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market volume for dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets in Lithuania fluctuated within a narrow range before dropping by 8% to 3.9 thousand tons in 2021. This decline coincided with the implementation of stricter controls against illegal fishing under the national fisheries sector program, which temporarily constrained raw material supply. Earlier, the market had been supported by growing demand for locally sourced fish and the expansion of aquaculture, driven by tighter EU fishing regulations and the adoption of modern recirculating systems.

The market volume surged by 25% to 4.9 thousand tons in 2022, reaching a peak for the period, as prior investments in aquaculture modernization and state support boosted production capacity. Subsequently, consumption retreated to around 4.5 thousand tons in 2023–2024. This later softening aligned with a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier diets, which reduced demand for heavily salted fish products despite Lithuania’s traditional taste for salted and smoked fish.

Production dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's production of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 24 400 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 19 951 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.4% occurring that same year. In contrast, the biggest increase of 15.9% was observed in 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Lithuania produced 4 123 tonnes of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets, representing an 8.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, overall production fell by 6.6%, averaging a 2.2% annual decline. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 483 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.3% during that period.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 272.0 tonnes, showing a year-on-year uptick of 5.3%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 220.2%, equating to an impressive annualized growth rate of 47.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Ukraine, and Estonia emerged as the primary markets for Lithuania's exports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets in volume terms. Latvia accounted for 37.5% of exports, Ukraine for 19.3%, and Estonia for 19.0%. Together, these three countries represented 75.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes in value terms reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, Lithuania's exports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets stood at 2 636 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 3.9% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 744 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase of 96.3% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Latvia, Estonia, and Germany remained the key markets for Lithuania's exports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets in value terms. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried, salted or in brine not smoked fish fillets to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Lithuania's imports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 62.4 tonnes, up by 87.1% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports skyrocketed by 867.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 113.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus and Latvia were the main sources for Lithuania's imports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 88.7% of total import flows, with the remainder distributed among other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's imports of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets in value terms have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 774 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a staggering 320.2% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports soared by 854.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 112.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the period 2018–2021, Belarus remained the leading supplier of dried, salted, or brined (non-smoked) fish fillets to Lithuania in value terms, holding 70.9% of total imports. The remaining share was spread across numerous other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021