Global Salmon Market: By Species, Salmon Type, Product Type, Distribution Channel, End Users (Residential, HoReCa), Region - Market Size, Industry Dynamics, Opportunity Analysis and Forecast for 2025-2033

The global salmon market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with revenues rising from US$ 25.19 billion in 2024 to an anticipated value of US$ 51.20 billion by 2033. This impressive expansion reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2033. Several key factors are driving this sustained market growth, rooted primarily in evolving consumer preferences and broader societal trends.

One of the primary drivers is the increasing health consciousness among consumers worldwide. As awareness of the nutritional benefits of salmon-such as its high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids-continues to spread, more people are incorporating salmon into their diets to support heart health, brain function, and overall well-being. Alongside this, there is a rising demand for protein-rich diets, fueled by shifts toward healthier eating habits and an emphasis on balanced nutrition. Consumers are actively seeking out foods that offer both taste and health benefits, and salmon fits perfectly into this trend.

Noteworthy Market Developments

The salmon market is undergoing a period of consolidation, with leading companies adopting distinct strategies to navigate the challenges posed by a high-cost operating environment. Among these top players, MOWI stands out as a dominant force with a significant market presence and a proactive approach to managing risks and costs. In May 2025, MOWI took strategic steps to shield itself from the volatility of feed prices by leveraging its own feed division, Mowi Feed. This vertical integration allows MOWI to control one of the largest cost components in salmon farming. Additionally, the company is aggressively expanding its "Post-Smolt" production capacity, which involves raising salmon to weights between 500 grams and 1 kilogram on land before transferring them to sea farms.

Meanwhile, another key player, SalMar, is pursuing a markedly different strategy centered around innovation in farming technology. SalMar is heavily investing in its "Ocean Farm" concept, positioning itself as the only company capable of farming salmon in the deep ocean, well beyond the coastal regions typically affected by sea lice infestations. By moving operations far from the lice belt, SalMar aims to reduce dependency on chemical treatments and lower environmental risks associated with coastal farming. This bold technological bet differentiates SalMar in the market and reflects a long-term vision focused on sustainability and resilience.

Core Growth Drivers

A major factor affecting the growth of the salmon market is the increasing awareness of the health benefits associated with consuming salmon. In 2023, for instance, about 36% of Americans adopted some form of diet to improve their eating habits, reflecting a broader shift toward health-conscious lifestyles. Salmon, known for its rich content of essential nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and various vitamins, has become especially popular due to its well-documented positive effects on cardiovascular health, brain function, and overall well-being. These nutritional advantages have positioned salmon as a favored choice among consumers seeking to enhance their diet with foods that support long-term health.

Emerging Opportunity Trends

Ongoing technological advancements in aquaculture are significantly enhancing the outlook for the salmon market by enabling more efficient and sustainable production methods. These innovations are crucial in driving increased supply while addressing longstanding environmental concerns associated with traditional salmon farming. Technologies such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and improved fish feed formulations have already begun to yield tangible benefits, including higher production yields and superior fish quality. Farmers can produce healthier salmon by optimizing the conditions in which the fish are raised in a more controlled and resource-efficient manner.

Barriers to Optimization

Environmental and regulatory pressures concerning the use of open-net pens in salmon farming pose significant challenges to market growth. Increasing awareness of the environmental impacts associated with these open-net systems has led to mounting pushback from governments and environmental groups. For example, Canada has announced plans to phase out open-net salmon farming in British Columbia by 2029, reflecting growing concerns about the negative effects these pens have on marine ecosystems. Similarly, Washington State has already taken decisive action by banning open-net pens in public waters, signaling a strong regulatory stance to protect aquatic environments.

Detailed Market Segmentation

By Salmon Type, the farmed salmon category holds a commanding lead in the global salmon market, securing the largest share at 76.20%. This dominance is largely due to the immense harvest capabilities that aquaculture provides, enabling producers to meet the growing global demand with greater efficiency and reliability than wild-caught alternatives. Unlike wild salmon, which are subject to seasonal variations and environmental uncertainties, farmed salmon are raised in carefully controlled environments where factors such as water quality, feeding, and health management can be optimized.

By Product Type, Fresh salmon holds a commanding position in the global salmon market, capturing over 59.23% of the total share. This dominance is primarily fueled by its superior sensory qualities, which make it the preferred choice for premium culinary applications such as sushi and sashimi, where texture and flavor are critical. The delicate firmness and natural taste of fresh salmon provide an unmatched eating experience that frozen or canned alternatives often fail to replicate.

By Distribution Channel, the retail segment, particularly offline channels, holds a dominant position in the salmon market, commanding over 61.08% of the market share. This leadership is largely attributed to the widespread presence and accessibility of extensive grocery networks, which serve as the primary point of purchase for a majority of consumers. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and local grocery stores offer a convenient and familiar shopping environment where customers can select from a variety of salmon products, often benefiting from in-store promotions, fresh displays, and personalized service.

By Species, Atlantic salmon continues to dominate the market, holding a commanding share of nearly 69.30%. This overwhelming preference is largely driven by the species' ability to be produced on an industrial scale, which allows for consistent availability. Unlike seasonal wild salmon species that are subject to natural fluctuations and limited harvesting windows, Atlantic salmon benefits from controlled farming environments that ensure steady production levels and supply reliability.

Segment Breakdown

By Species:

• Sockeye Salmon
• Coho Salmon
• Pink Salmon
• Chum Salmon
• Atlantic Salmon
• Others

By Salmon Type

• Farmed Salmon
• Wild Salmon

By Product Type:

• Frozen
• Fresh
• Canned
• Others

By End User

• Residential
• HoReCa
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Cafe

By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline
• Supermarket/ Hypermarket
• Retail Stores
• Specialty Stores

By Region:

• North America
• The U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• The UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Poland
• Russia
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• South Korea
• Japan
• Australia & New Zealand
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Rest of MEA
• South America
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Rest of South America

Geography Breakdown

• As of late 2025, Europe maintains a dominant position in the global salmon market, commanding nearly 44.61% of the total market share. This leadership is characterized by a striking contrast between the continent's vast installed production capacity and a declining capability to supply "superior" grade salmon exports.
• Norway, the driving force behind Europe's salmon industry, is currently facing a significant biological crisis that has profoundly altered trade dynamics. The country's coastal waters have been severely affected by an outbreak of Moritella viscosa, a bacterial infection commonly known as winter sores, which compromises the health and market value of the fish. Compounding this issue are frequent and intense attacks by sting jellyfish, which cause physical damage to salmon and further degrade their quality.
• These persistent biological threats have led to an unprecedented volume of salmon being downgraded to "Production Grade," a lower classification that reflects reduced quality and market value. This shift not only impacts Norway's export portfolio but also reverberates throughout the European salmon market, challenging its ability to maintain its historical reputation for premium-grade products.

Leading Market Participants

• Grieg Seafood
• Leroy Seafood Group ASA
• Mowi ASA
• Ocean Supreme AS
• SAFE CATCH
• SalMar ASA
• Sinkaberg Hansen AS
• Tassal Limited
• Wild Planet Foods
• Other Prominent players