Frozen fish fillets market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The Lithuanian frozen fish fillets market experienced notable volatility between 2018 and 2024. Market volume in physical terms grew from 14 565 t in 2018 to a peak of 15 326 t in 2020, before contracting sharply to 9 948 t in 2021. A recovery followed, reaching 11 420 t by 2024. In value terms, the market declined from USD 62.3 million in 2018 to a low of USD 27.8 million in 2021, then rebounded to USD 39.1 million in 2024.

The market's rebound from 2022 was influenced by rising costs for energy, transport, and raw materials, which pushed prices upward and increased the market's value. Concurrently, growing average incomes helped maintain consumer demand despite these higher prices. In 2022, the retail chain Rimi became the first in the Baltics to introduce MSC and ASC sustainability certification for its private-label fish products, promoting a trend toward certified goods and supporting demand. Consumers also increasingly chose frozen fish for everyday consumption, not just holidays, which helped sustain sales volumes throughout the year.

Lithuanian processing companies have traditionally relied on imported frozen raw materials from Norway and Iceland. Major players like Santa Trade actively exported products, affecting domestic supply dynamics. Global fluctuations in raw material prices and transport challenges continued to impact market conditions, while the adoption of automated order systems by retailers and producers helped optimize frozen fish supply chains.

Production frozen fish fillets in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's production of frozen fish fillets was valued at 118.9 million US dollars, marking a 10.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 9.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 132.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Lithuania produced 17,567 tonnes of frozen fish fillets, representing a 20.9% drop compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 18.5%, translating to an average annual reduction of 6.6%. The peak was in 2020 with 22,218 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

Exports frozen fish fillets from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Lithuania's exports of frozen fish fillets totaled 19,352 tonnes, down 6.2% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports declined by 3.2%, with an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 19,089 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 20,632 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Denmark were the primary destinations for Lithuania's frozen fish fillet exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 42.7% of exports, Poland for 13.1%, and Denmark for 6.6%, collectively making up 62.5% of total export volumes.

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, M $ US

In 2021, Lithuania exported frozen fish fillets worth 135.1 million US dollars, a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 4.4%, with an average annual increase of 1.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 125.5 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 139.4 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 11.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Denmark were the top contributors to Lithuania's frozen fish fillet exports in value terms. Germany represented 42.8% of export value, Poland 12.6%, and Denmark 7.0%, together accounting for 62.4% 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 frozen fish fillets to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Lithuania's imports of frozen fish fillets reached 11,733 tonnes, showing a significant decline of 14.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 9.7%, with an average annual decrease of 3.4%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 13,740 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Norway, Russia, and China were the largest suppliers of frozen fish fillets to Lithuania in volume terms. Norway accounted for 29.1% of imports, Russia for 14.0%, and China for 9.8%, collectively forming 52.8% of total import volumes.

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, M $ US

Lithuania's imports of frozen fish fillets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 43.9 million US dollars, a 10.8% drop from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 27.1%, with an average annual decline of 10.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Norway, and Kazakhstan were the main sources for Lithuania's frozen fish fillet imports in value terms, together accounting for 53.0% of total import value.

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

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