China Q1 2026 Seafood Imports Surge on Strong Shrimp, Salmon Demand

China's seafood imports posted strong growth across several major categories in the first quarter of 2026, with imports of white shrimp, Atlantic salmon, Alaska pollock, and squid/cuttlefish all rising sharply year-on-year, according to the latest data from China Customs.

The latest figures point to resilient domestic demand and continued reliance on major overseas suppliers including Ecuador, Russia, Norway, and Peru.

China's Q1 White Shrimp Imports Jump 25.92% Year-on-Year

China imported 245,000 metric tons of white shrimp in the first quarter of 2026, up 25.92% from the same period a year earlier, according to China Customs data.

In March alone, China imported 82,118 tons of frozen Pacific white shrimp from South America, marking strong increases both year-on-year and month-on-month. The volume was equivalent to more than 3,900 containers, up 24% from a year earlier. Compared with February, imports rose by around 12,000 tons, equivalent to more than 560 additional containers.

Ecuador Maintains Dominance in China's White Shrimp Market

Ecuador remained China's largest supplier by a wide margin.

In March, imports from Ecuador reached 63,561 tons, accounting for 77.4% of total white shrimp imports for the month.

For the January-March period, cumulative imports from Ecuador totaled 192,489 tons, representing around 78.56% of China's total white shrimp imports, reinforcing its position as the dominant supplier.

India posted rapid growth, with March shipments rising to 12,337 tons, lifting its market share to 15%.

For the first quarter, imports from India totaled 33,704 tons, accounting for 13.76% of the market.

Other March suppliers included:

• Argentina: more than 1,900 tons (2.3%)

• Thailand: more than 1,400 tons (1.7%)

• Indonesia: more than 1,300 tons (1.7%)

Imports from Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Honduras, and Venezuela were each below 300 tons in March, with relatively small market shares.

China's Q1 Alaska Pollock Raw Material Imports Rise 14.96%

China imported 215,591 tons of Alaska pollock raw materials in the first quarter of 2026, up 14.96% year-on-year.

In March, imports totaled 124,682 tons, broadly unchanged from the same month last year.

Frozen Alaska pollock remained the main category, with cumulative imports of 204,879 tons from January to March, up 16.97% year-on-year. March imports stood at 121,566 tons.

Imports of frozen Alaska pollock fillets rose sharply in the first quarter, reaching 2,815 tons, up 41.35% year-on-year.

In March alone, frozen fillet imports reached 1,069 tons.

Russia Remains China's Top Pollock Supplier

Russia remained China's leading supplier of pollock products during the first quarter.

From January to March, China imported 205,905 tons of pollock from Russia, including:

• 195,697 tons of frozen Alaska pollock

• 2,681 tons of frozen Alaska pollock fillets

Imports from the United States totaled 8,081 tons during the same period, including 107 tons of frozen Alaska pollock fillets.

China's Q1 Atlantic Salmon Imports Soar 59% to Record High

China imported more than 52,500 tons of Atlantic salmon in the first quarter of 2026, surging 59% year-on-year and setting a new quarterly import record.

In March alone, China imported 16,000 tons of Atlantic salmon, including both chilled and frozen products, up 56% from 10,000 tons in the same month last year.

Chilled Atlantic salmon remained the main growth driver.

March imports of chilled Atlantic salmon reached 14,200 tons, up 48% year-on-year, extending a strong growth trend.

Meanwhile, frozen Atlantic salmon imports in March climbed to 1,700 tons, up 177% from a year earlier, significantly above historical seasonal levels.

Norway Holds Leading Position in China's Salmon Market

Norway remained the top supplier, accounting for 67% of China's Atlantic salmon imports in March, unchanged from February.

Chile also posted solid gains, with its share rising to 11% in March.

Other major suppliers included:

• Faroe Islands: 8.8%

• Australia: 5.5%

• United Kingdom: 4.3%

Imports from the United Kingdom rose notably from 1% in January and 2.6% in February, with March shipments exceeding 600 tons.

Iceland saw both import volume and market share decline in March, falling below 500 tons and accounting for 3.3% of total imports, though it recorded the highest average import price among the seven main suppliers.

Canada appeared on China's Atlantic salmon import list for the first time in 2026, though volumes and market share remained limited.

China's Q1 Squid and Cuttlefish Imports More Than Double

China's imports of squid and cuttlefish reached 133,814 tons in the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling from the same period a year earlier.

Frozen squid and cuttlefish products dominated imports, totaling 123,629 tons, accounting for 92.39% of the total.

In March alone, China imported 41,283 tons, up 137% year-on-year.

Peru Leads China's Squid and Cuttlefish Supply

Peru was China's largest supplier of squid and cuttlefish products in the first quarter.

Imports from Peru totaled 50,024 tons, accounting for more than 37% of total imports.

Indonesia ranked second, with imports of 19,604 tons, representing more than 14% of the market.

Argentina accounted for 1.38%, with imports totaling 1,840 tons during the period.

China's Seafood Import Growth Signals Strong Market Recovery

The strong growth in China's seafood imports in the first quarter of 2026 highlights a broad-based recovery in demand across retail, foodservice, and processing sectors.

Major suppliers such as Ecuador in shrimp, Russia in pollock, Norway in salmon, and Peru in squid and cuttlefish continue to strengthen their foothold in the Chinese market as import volumes climb to multi-year highs in several categories.