Thailand's seafood processors and consumers need more imported raw material every year, and U.S. suppliers still hold less than 4% of that market.
U.S. seafood exports to Thailand climbed 60% to $140 million in 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported July 21. Thailand's seafood processors and consumers are leaning harder on imported supply to meet a fast-growing, premium-focused market.
Key Facts
- Thailand's seafood sector reached $8.9 billion in 2025, projected to grow over 3% annually through 2030.
- Thailand's seafood imports hit $4.48 billion in 2025, up from $4 billion in 2023.
- The United States holds just 3 to 4% of Thailand's seafood import value, behind China and Norway.
Thailand's seafood sector reached an estimated $8.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow over 3% a year through 2030, according to the FAS report. The country remains one of the world's top five seafood exporters by value, built on processed tuna and shrimp.
A growing wealthy urban consumer base is pulling in premium species the domestic industry does not produce.
U.S. seafood exports to Thailand reached $165.97 million in 2025, per Trade Data Monitor. That is up from $105.95 million in 2024, a gain of about 57%. U.S. exports to Thailand grew sharply in 2025 after two years of decline.
Why Thailand Needs More Imported Seafood
Thailand's wild-capture harvest is projected to fall 2.6 to 3.1% a year through 2027, the report said. The Department of Fisheries is enforcing catch limits to protect overfished sardine and mackerel stocks in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Aquaculture output is not fully filling the gap.
Thai farms are shifting shrimp and barramundi production toward premium, export-grade species rather than expanding the bulk volumes that once dominated the sector.
Thailand's processing industry is the world's largest exporter of canned tuna and is now pivoting toward higher-margin products. One example is human-grade pet food, forecast to grow 10 to 15% a year.
Overall processing volume is growing just 1 to 2% a year, according to Krungsri Research cited in the report. Thailand is projected to need $4.5 billion to $5 billion in imported seafood in 2026. It is up from $4.48 billion in 2025 and $4 billion in 2023.
Premium and Health Trends Are Reshaping Thai Seafood Demand
Health consciousness is now the strongest driver of Thai seafood demand, the report found. Thai millennials and Gen Z consumers are paying more for salmon, tuna and shellfish marketed on omega-3 content and clean sourcing.
At least 45% of Thai consumers now eat salmon at home most often. Country of origin has become a decisive purchase driver, with Norway, Japan, and the United States recognized as premium markers.
Modern retail is the most accessible entry point for U.S. suppliers. Central Food Hall and Tops Market operate more than 90 outlets with dedicated imported seafood sections, the report said. Villa Market serves expatriates and high-income Thai shoppers and is one of the easiest first-entry chains for new suppliers.
Foodservice offers a larger volume opportunity. Thailand's HoReCa market reached $35.4 billion in 2025 and is growing about 5% a year. Hotels and restaurants source 30 to 35% of their food through imports, the report said.
Without a Trade Deal, US Suppliers Compete on Quality Alone
U.S. salmon led American seafood sales into Thailand at an estimated $75 million in 2025. Alaska pollock followed at $11.2 million and sole at $8.1 million, per the report's 2025 export estimates.
The United States holds just 3 to 4% of Thailand's seafood import value, well behind China's 13% share and Norway's 9%.
Norway controls more than 60% of the Thai salmon market alone, built on two decades of marketing under its "Seafood from Norway" brand.
China led Thailand's seafood suppliers in 2025 at an estimated $585 million, based on its 13.05% import share of the $4.48 billion total. Norway followed at $412 million, well ahead of Vietnam's $324 million and Taiwan's $271 million. The United States ranked eighth among the top ten suppliers at an estimated $166 million, ahead of only Chile and South Korea. The figures are calculated from each country's share of the $4.48 billion total.
Thailand has no free trade agreement with the United States. U.S. seafood faces tariffs of 5% on frozen fish, fillets and shellfish, and 20 to 30% on prepared or preserved fish. ASEAN suppliers like Vietnam and Indonesia enter tariff-free. Norway's own position has weakened elsewhere.
The report noted Norwegian seafood exports to the United States fell 37% after reciprocal tariffs took effect. Norway has redirected volume to Asia instead, including record salmon shipments to China in early 2026.
