Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
Page data last updated on 2026-03-30.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Frozen Sardine
Analyze 3,555 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Frozen Sardine.
Frozen Sardine Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Frozen Sardine to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Frozen Sardine: India (-40.2%), Oman (-36.0%), South Africa (+26.6%).
Frozen Sardine Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-05, benchmark Frozen Sardine country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-10, countries with visible Frozen Sardine transaction unit prices: Vietnam (4.30 USD / kg), New Zealand (2.64 USD / kg), India (2.24 USD / kg), Lithuania (2.13 USD / kg), Mauritania (2.05 USD / kg), 10 more countries.
765 exporters and 858 importers are mapped for Frozen Sardine.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Frozen Sardine, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Frozen Sardine Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
765 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Frozen Sardine. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Frozen Sardine Verified Export Suppliers and Premium Partners
2 premium Frozen Sardine suppliers include country, industry, and contactability signals to prioritize credible export partners faster.
Frozen Sardine Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 765 total exporter companies in the Frozen Sardine supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingFarming / Production / Processing / PackingDistribution / Wholesale
(Mexico)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: TradeFarming / Production / Processing / Packing
(Russia)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 3
Industries: Brokers And Trade AgenciesFishing AquacultureFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFarming / Production / Processing / PackingTrade
(Mexico)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-26
Recently Export Partner Companies: 7
Employee Size: 51 - 100 Employees
Industries: Fishing AquacultureFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: TradeFood Manufacturing
(Portugal)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Food PackagingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingDistribution / Wholesale
Frozen Sardine Global Exporter Coverage
765 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Frozen Sardine supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Frozen Sardine opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Top Exporting Countries for Frozen Sardine (HS Code 030353) in 2024
For Frozen Sardine in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
Frozen Sardine Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary
Track Frozen Sardine exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.
Frozen Sardine Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
858 importer companies are mapped for Frozen Sardine demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Frozen Sardine Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 858 total importer companies tracked for Frozen Sardine. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Frozen Sardine.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Frozen Sardine buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Top Import Demand Countries for Frozen Sardine (HS Code 030353) in 2024
For Frozen Sardine in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
Frozen raw material for further processing (including canned sardines/sardine-type products)
Bait/feed use in some value chains (market- and regulation-dependent)
Grading Factors
Species identity/labeling conformity (including accepted species lists where applicable)
Size grade (count per kg) and lot uniformity
Freshness at time of freezing (odor, gill/eye condition) and absence of decomposition indicators
Freezing format (IQF vs block), glazing level (if used), and evidence of thaw/refreeze
Packaging integrity and net weight compliance
Market
Frozen sardine is a globally traded small-pelagic fish product typically shipped as whole round, headed/gutted, block-frozen or IQF lots for direct consumption and as an input for further processing (including canning). In trade statistics, the closest HS proxy is HS 030371 ("Frozen sardines, brisling or sprats"), which bundles sardines/sardinella with brisling/sprats and is commonly used to track this frozen category. Based on 2023 UN Comtrade data as presented in WITS for HS 030371, Morocco and Japan are leading exporters, while China and Thailand are among the largest importing markets by value and volume. Market dynamics are characterized by strong supply variability because small pelagic stocks can shift rapidly with ocean/climate conditions and fishery management measures, while product quality and market access depend on strict cold-chain control and traceability.
Major Producing Countries
MoroccoMajor capture/freezing origin and leading exporter in HS 030371 trade statistics (UN Comtrade via WITS, 2023).
JapanMajor capture/freezing origin and leading exporter in HS 030371 trade statistics (UN Comtrade via WITS, 2023).
MauritaniaNotable Northwest Africa origin and top-tier exporter in HS 030371 trade statistics (UN Comtrade via WITS, 2023).
SpainImportant catching/processing country and significant exporter/importer in HS 030371 trade statistics (UN Comtrade via WITS, 2023).
SenegalNotable West Africa origin/exporter in HS 030371 trade statistics (UN Comtrade via WITS, 2023).
Major Exporting Countries
MoroccoTop exporter in 2023 for HS 030371 (Frozen sardines, brisling or sprats): ~$82.9M; ~88.9M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS). Note: HS 030371 covers sardines/sardinella/brisling/sprats.
JapanTop exporter in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$70.4M; ~92.7M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
ChinaTop exporter in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$33.1M; ~35.9M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
MauritaniaTop exporter in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$29.7M; ~58.0M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
PakistanNotable exporter in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$20.3M; ~30.2M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Major Importing Countries
ChinaTop importer in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$163.1M; ~277.5M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
ThailandTop importer in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$66.8M; ~90.5M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
South AfricaTop importer in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$53.9M; ~59.6M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Ivory CoastTop importer in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$48.9M; ~52.0M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
SpainSignificant importer in 2023 for HS 030371: ~$39.1M; ~43.9M kg (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Small pelagic, oily fish prone to quality loss from bruising, dehydration, and oxidation if freezing and storage are suboptimal
Common commercial presentations include whole round, headed and gutted, or blocks/IQF with protective glazing
Compositional Metrics
Fat (oil) content varies by season and fishing ground, influencing oxidation risk and sensory outcomes
Glazing percentage (when used) and thaw-drip/texture outcomes are common buyer-facing quality concerns for frozen lots
Grades
Size grading often expressed as fish count per kilogram (or per carton) and uniformity of lot
Species identification and labeling integrity are critical (buyer specifications may require scientific-name confirmation or accepted species lists)
Packaging
Export-oriented frozen packs commonly ship in lined master cartons (bulk polybags or blocks); labeling typically includes species, net weight, lot, and production/pack dates
Reefer-ready palletized cartons designed for cold-chain handling and inspection
ProcessingBlock freezing or Individual Quick Freezing (IQF), frequently with glazing to reduce dehydration and oxidationCommon pre-freeze steps include washing, sorting, and optional heading/gutting depending on end use
Stable demand for low-cost animal protein in markets where frozen small pelagics are consumed as a staple food fish
Industrial demand for frozen raw material for downstream processing (including canned sardines/sardine-type products) where applicable
Feed/bait demand in some value chains (species and local regulations dependent)
Temperature
Rapid freezing and maintaining stable sub-zero storage are critical to limiting rancidity and texture damage; cold-chain breaks (thaw/refreeze) are a key quality and safety risk
Reefer logistics and destination cold storage capacity are central determinants of loss rates and claims
Shelf Life
Shelf-life is strongly constrained by lipid oxidation and dehydration/freezer burn in fatty small pelagics; glazing, oxygen exposure control, and stable low temperatures are primary quality levers
Risks
Climate And Ocean Variability HighSmall pelagic stocks (including sardines and sardine-type species) can undergo rapid, large swings in abundance linked to ocean/climate regimes and changes in upwelling, temperature, and recruitment conditions. These shifts can drive sudden supply shortages, fishery closures, and extreme price/availability volatility for frozen sardine trade.Diversify origins across multiple fishing systems and maintain contingency specifications (species/size ranges) consistent with Codex-accepted definitions; implement forward coverage and inventory buffers where cold storage economics allow.
Fisheries Management And Quota Risk HighQuota adjustments, seasonal closures, and management interventions in response to stock assessments can rapidly constrain exportable supply and disrupt contracted volumes, especially in concentrated origin corridors.Contract with suppliers that can evidence legal fishing authorizations and adapt sourcing plans across certified/assessed fisheries; track management announcements and landing indicators in key origin regions.
Traceability And IUU Exposure MediumIllegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing can contaminate supply chains for widely traded pelagics, increasing the risk of detentions, reputational damage, and market-access barriers as importing jurisdictions strengthen controls.Require vessel-level traceability, document checks aligned with Port State Measures expectations, and routine third-party verification where feasible.
Cold Chain And Quality Loss MediumFrozen sardines are vulnerable to quality claims from temperature abuse, dehydration/freezer burn, and rancidity in fatty lots; cold-chain instability can also elevate food-safety risk through partial thaw events.Specify and verify time-temperature controls, reefer set-points, and glazing/pack integrity; use temperature loggers and tighten acceptance criteria for evidence of thaw/refreeze.
Food Safety MediumTime-temperature abuse prior to freezing or during handling can increase decomposition-related hazards; downstream processed products (e.g., canned sardines/sardine-type products) may also be subject to histamine-related requirements under relevant standards.Apply Codex-aligned hygiene controls and HACCP-based programs through landing-to-freezing steps; verify supplier sanitation and monitoring records and ensure rapid chilling/freezing after catch.
Sustainability
High natural variability and regime shifts in small pelagic abundance linked to ocean/climate conditions, creating boom-bust supply cycles and heightened ESG scrutiny when stocks decline
Forage-fish ecosystem role: harvesting pressure can raise concerns about impacts on dependent predators and food-web dynamics (risk depends on stock status and management)
IUU fishing and weak monitoring/control in some fisheries can undermine sustainability claims and trigger import controls
Cold-chain energy use and refrigerant management contribute to the product’s logistics-related emissions footprint
Labor & Social
Occupational safety and decent working conditions at sea are material concerns in industrial fishing; buyers increasingly expect alignment with international labor standards (e.g., ILO Work in Fishing Convention C188) where applicable
Traceability and social compliance audits can be challenging in complex multi-vessel supply chains and in transshipment-linked trade routes
FAQ
Which HS code is commonly used to track frozen sardine trade in global statistics?A common HS-6 proxy is HS 030371, labeled in UN Comtrade/WITS as “Frozen sardines, brisling or sprats.” It is a useful tracking category for frozen sardines, but it also bundles related small pelagics (including brisling/sprats), so it is not a perfect species-pure measure.
Which countries were the largest exporters of HS 030371 in 2023?In 2023 UN Comtrade data as shown in WITS for HS 030371, Morocco and Japan were the top exporters by value, followed by China and Mauritania among the next tier.
Why is climate variability considered a top risk for sardine supply?Sardines and other small pelagics can shift quickly between high and low abundance regimes as ocean conditions change, including temperature and upwelling patterns that affect recruitment. This can cause sudden supply contractions and trigger management actions like tighter quotas or closures, which directly disrupts export availability.
What international reference helps define what species can be sold as “sardines” in standardized products?Codex has a specific standard for canned sardines and sardine-type products (CXS 94-1981) that lists the fish species accepted under that standard, and it has been updated over time (including an amendment adopted in 2024 to add Sardinella lemuru). While your product is frozen, this Codex species listing is often used as a reference point in downstream processing and labeling discussions.
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