Seafood Packaging Market Size & Forecast Report - 2025 to 2030

The global seafood packaging market size was valued at around USD 18 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at a significant CAGR of around 5.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2030. The market is experiencing steady growth, driven by rising seafood consumption, expanding aquaculture production, and advancements in preservation technologies. Increasing awareness of seafood’s health benefits, coupled with the need to maintain freshness, extend shelf life, and comply with stringent food safety regulations, is fueling demand for high-performance packaging solutions. Technologies such as Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP) are increasingly adopted to reduce spoilage, while smart packaging innovations enhance traceability and consumer trust. Sustainability is also a major driver, with manufacturers focusing on recyclable, biodegradable, and paper-based alternatives in response to environmental concerns and regulatory pressures.

Seafood Packaging Market Key Drivers:

The seafood packaging market is propelled by the rising global demand for seafood, supported by growing aquaculture production and increased consumer awareness of seafood’s nutritional benefits. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global aquatic foods consumption per capita has more than doubled since the 1961s, reaching over 20.7 kg per person in 2022, a trend that continues to push demand for efficient, safe, and attractive packaging. The need to extend shelf life, prevent contamination, and maintain product quality during long-distance transportation has accelerated the adoption of advanced preservation technologies such as Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP). Furthermore, the rapid expansion of the cold chain infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies, is enabling the safe distribution of fresh and frozen seafood to a wider consumer base.

Sustainability concerns and stricter environmental regulations are also shaping the market’s growth. Governments and industry bodies are encouraging the use of recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable packaging materials to reduce marine and plastic pollution. For instance, in 2024, several major seafood exporters in Norway and Japan began transitioning to paper-based and plant-based packaging solutions to meet new export market requirements for eco-friendly packaging. Technological advancements such as smart labels for freshness tracking and QR code-enabled traceability are becoming increasingly common, meeting consumer demands for transparency and safety. This combination of health-driven demand, supply chain modernization, and sustainability-focused innovation is expected to sustain robust growth in the seafood packaging market over the coming decade.

Market Snapshot:

Market Trends Shaping the Seafood Packaging Market:

Shift Toward Sustainable Materials

Environmental concerns, especially regarding plastic waste and marine pollution, are driving the seafood industry toward eco-friendly packaging. Manufacturers are replacing traditional single-use plastics with recyclable PET, biodegradable bioplastics, paperboard cartons, and compostable films made from plant-based sources. This shift is further supported by regulatory measures such as the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive and rising consumer preference for brands with visible sustainability commitments.

Rising Adoption of Advanced Preservation Technologies

Freshness is critical for seafood, and technologies like Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP) are becoming standard practice. MAP works by adjusting oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen levels inside the packaging to slow bacterial growth, while VSP tightly seals the product in a protective film, preventing leakage and freezer burn. These innovations are helping exporters extend product shelf life by several days or even weeks without compromising quality.

Smart & Traceable Packaging Solutions

With food safety regulations tightening and consumer demand for transparency increasing, packaging now often incorporates smart features like QR codes, freshness indicators, and RFID tags. These tools allow end-to-end traceability—from fishing vessels or aquaculture farms to retail shelves—ensuring compliance with food safety standards and reducing the risk of fraud or mislabeling.

Growth in Frozen and Ready-to-Cook Seafood Packaging

Urban consumers, especially in North America, Europe, and rapidly urbanizing Asian cities, are gravitating toward frozen and pre-prepared seafood options due to their convenience and time savings. This trend is increasing demand for portion-controlled, resealable, and microwave-safe packaging formats that cater to busy lifestyles and online grocery deliveries.

Lightweight & High-Barrier Materials

Packaging companies are innovating to create thin, lightweight films and containers that still offer high-barrier protection against moisture, oxygen, and contaminants. These materials help reduce shipping costs, cut down on resource use, and still maintain the freshness and flavor of seafood products during long-haul transportation.

Seafood Packaging Market Opportunities:

The global seafood packaging market presents significant opportunities driven by the rapid growth of global seafood trade, rising demand for convenience foods, and the increasing shift toward sustainable solutions. As global seafood exports reached USD 171 billion in 2024 (FAO), the need for high-performance packaging that can maintain freshness during long-distance transportation is surging. Emerging economies in Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are investing in cold chain infrastructure and modern packaging technologies, opening avenues for packaging companies to provide tailored solutions for fresh, frozen, and processed seafood. Additionally, the expansion of e-commerce grocery platforms is boosting demand for leak-proof, insulated, and portion-controlled packaging formats that can ensure product safety during home delivery.

Sustainability-focused innovation offers another major growth path. With governments and retailers increasingly banning or taxing single-use plastics, there is a rising opportunity for paper-based, compostable, and plant-based packaging materials. The growing adoption of smart packaging solutions—such as freshness sensors, temperature indicators, and QR codes for traceability—further creates opportunities for premium, value-added products. These innovations not only meet evolving regulatory standards but also appeal to environmentally conscious and quality-driven consumers, enabling packaging manufacturers to command higher margins and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

Market Insights:

By Material: the plastic category dominated the global seafood packaging market

The global seafood packaging market is bifurcated into material, packaging technology, packaging format, seafood, application, and geography. On the basis of material, the plastic is the dominant material segment in the market, accounting for the largest share due to its versatility, cost efficiency, and strong functional performance. Its lightweight nature reduces transportation costs, while its excellent barrier properties protect seafood from moisture, oxygen, and contaminants—factors critical for maintaining freshness and extending shelf life. Plastic formats such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are widely used in trays, vacuum packs, and flexible pouches, making them suitable for both fresh and frozen seafood. Additionally, plastics are compatible with advanced preservation technologies like Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP), which are increasingly adopted in global seafood supply chains.

The dominance of plastic is also reinforced by its adaptability to various packaging designs and branding needs. It can be easily molded into different shapes, printed with high-quality graphics, and combined with transparent windows to showcase the product. While rising environmental concerns and regulations on single-use plastics pose challenges, the industry is responding by developing recyclable, reusable, and bio-based plastic alternatives. For example, in May 2025, Amcor announced a collaboration with Metsä to develop recyclable, fiber-based food packaging that integrates high-barrier film technology, enabling protection for products like seafood while being recyclable in paper streams. This innovation not only supports circular economy goals but also positions plastic-based solutions as part of hybrid, sustainable packaging strategies.

By Packaging Technology: the MAP sub-category holds the largest revenue share of seafood packaging market

On the basis of packaging technology, the global seafood packaging market is further segmented into MAP, vacuum skin packaging, and others. The modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) remains the dominant technology segment in seafood packaging because it effectively slows microbial growth and oxidation by tailoring the gas mix inside the pack; this translates into meaningful shelf-life extension for chilled and fresh seafood and makes MAP the preferred choice for retailers and exporters. In fact, industry research shows the MAP technology segment recorded the largest revenue share within the seafood packaging market.

Instead of the earlier March 2024 claim about Cryovac MAP, a verifiable recent development from Sealed Air is its move toward more sustainable formats: Sealed Air introduced a CRYOVAC® Barrier Formable Paper (paper-based bottom web) to reduce plastic use (announced January 2024), and in April 2024 Sealed Air partnered with Eastman to develop certified compostable protein trays as a drop-in replacement for polystyrene foam trays — both moves show the company focusing on recyclable/compostable alternatives rather than a March 2024 MAP expansion specifically for seafood.

The seafood packaging market research report presents the analysis of each segment from 2020 to 2030 considering 2024 as the base year for the research. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each respective segment is calculated for the forecast period from 2025 to 2030.

Historical & Forecast Period

• 2020-23 – Historical Year
• 2024 – Base Year
• 2025-2030 – Forecast Period

Market Segmentation:

By Material:

• Plastic
• Paper & Paperboard
• Metal
• Others

By Packaging Technology:

• MAP
• Vacuum Skin Packaging
• Others

By Packaging Format:

• Trays
• Bags & Pouches
• Cans
• Boxes
• Shrink Films
• Others

By Seafood:

• Fish
• Mollusca
• Crustaceans
• Others

By Application:

• Fresh & Frozen
• Processed

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Regional Analysis: Asia Pacific dominated the Seafood Packaging Market

Geographically, the Asia Pacific is the dominant region in the global seafood packaging market in 2024, accounting for the largest share due to its high seafood production, consumption, and export activities. Countries such as China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and India are major contributors, supported by strong aquaculture industries and large fishing fleets. The region is also a global hub for seafood exports, supplying fresh, frozen, and processed products to North America, Europe, and the Middle East. This extensive export network demands advanced packaging solutions—particularly Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP)—to preserve freshness over long transit times. Rising disposable incomes, growing middle-class populations, and increasing demand for convenience seafood products in domestic markets further boost packaging consumption.

The dominance of Asia Pacific is also reinforced by rapid advancements in cold chain infrastructure, government-backed fisheries programs, and the growing adoption of sustainable packaging practices. For example, several regional seafood exporters are transitioning toward recyclable and biodegradable packaging to meet the environmental standards of key importing markets. China remains the largest single market in the region due to its massive aquaculture output, while countries like Vietnam and India are emerging as fast-growing players thanks to rising export volumes and modernized processing facilities. With both domestic demand and export opportunities expanding, Asia Pacific is expected to maintain its leadership position in the global seafood packaging market over the forecast period.

Competitive Landscpae:

Some of the prominent market players operating in the global seafood packaging market are Amcor plc, Sealed Air Corporation, DS Smith, AptarGroup, Inc., ProAmpac, and Frontier Packaging, Inc. Companies are exploring markets by expansion, new investment, the introduction of new services, and collaboration as their preferred strategies. Players are exploring new geography through expansion and acquisition to gain a competitive advantage through joint synergy.

Key Companies:

• Amcor plc
• Sealed Air Corporation
• DS Smith
• AptarGroup, Inc.
• ProAmpac
• Frontier Packaging, Inc.
• ULMA Packaging
• Printpack
• North Coast Seafoods
• Trivium Packaging
• CarePac
• SeaCa Plastic Packaging

Key Questions Answered by Seafood Packaging Market Report

• Global seafood packaging market forecasts from 2025-2030
• Regional market forecasts from 2025-2030 covering Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America
• Country-level forecasts from 2025-2030 covering 15 major countries from the regions as mentioned above
• Seafood packaging submarket forecasts from 2025-2030 covering the market by material, packaging technology, packaging format, seafood, application, and geography
• Various industry models such as SWOT analysis, Value Chain Analysis about the market
• Analysis of the key factors driving and restraining the growth of the global, regional, and country-level seafood packaging markets from 2025-2030
• Competitive Landscape and market positioning of top 10 players operating in the market