Frozen fish fillets market in Italy, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian frozen fish fillets market volume experienced moderate fluctuations, starting at 97 910 tons in 2018 supported by rising consumer purchases of packaged frozen fish, particularly fillets and sticks, through modern retail channels. The market then edged down to 95 523 tons in 2019 and 93 958 tons in 2020, reflecting a period of stabilization amid broader global trends favoring high-protein diets and convenience in frozen seafood.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated overall demand for frozen foods as consumers shifted to home consumption, though for fish fillets specifically, market volume dipped slightly. This trend reversed in 2021 with a slight recovery to 94 471 tons, driven by continued focus on quality and food safety in frozen products. The market then surged by 13% in 2022 to reach a record 106 797 tons, aligning with the historic peak in Italy's total frozen food consumption that year, fueled by consumer preference for high-quality, quick-preparation frozen meals.

After the 2022 peak, the market corrected to 96 185 tons in 2023 and further to 91 205 tons in 2024, indicating a post-pandemic normalization. Throughout the period, the frozen fish segment as a whole showed growth compared to pre-pandemic levels, highlighting sustained consumer interest in practical and long-lasting protein options.

Production frozen fish fillets in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy's output of frozen fish fillets was valued at 51 248 K $ US, marking a steep gain of 65.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 56 124 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 44.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 259.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy produced 12 192 t of frozen fish fillets, representing a sharp gain of 84.3% from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 11.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 229.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen fish fillets from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's exports of frozen fish fillets amounted to 933 t, representing a 28.4% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 302 t, with the largest increase also occurring in that year, rising by 34.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

The country composition of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Austria accounted for 10.7% of exports in kind, Spain for 10.2%, and France for 9.0%, together forming just 29.8% of total flows. The remaining 70.2% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's volume of frozen fish fillets exports reached 8.8 M $ US, corresponding to a strong decline of 18.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10.8 M $ US, with the largest increase also in that year, rising by 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of frozen fish fillets from Italy were spread across many countries. Austria accounted for 13.1% of exports in value terms, Spain for 10.9%, and France for 10.0%, jointly accounting for only 34.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen fish fillets to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's volume of frozen fish fillets imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 82 699 t, reflecting a modest decrease of 8.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 91 448 t, with the largest increase also in that year, rising by 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, frozen fish fillets imports to Italy involved many countries. Even the largest destinations—the Netherlands, Spain, and China—together represented only 43.1% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's frozen fish fillets shipments from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy imported a total of 517.0 M $ US of frozen fish fillets, equivalent to a loss of 4.0% relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 542.2 M $ US, with the largest increase also in that year, rising by 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of frozen fish fillets to Italy relied on a wide range of partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 19.9% of imports in value terms, Spain for 17.5%, and South Africa for 6.3%, together taking just 43.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020