Market
Dried flying fish is a niche dried seafood product typically produced from small pelagic flyingfish species (family Exocoetidae) and traded largely as a traditional food ingredient and preserved seafood item. Species-specific global trade is difficult to isolate because customs statistics commonly aggregate dried fish across many species under HS heading 0305 and related subheadings. FAO fisheries resources reviews identify the Philippines and Indonesia as key capture-production countries for “flyingfishes nei”, while international trade in dried fish (HS 030559 as a proxy) is dominated by Asian exporters and importers. Market dynamics are shaped by fisheries variability, traceability/illegal fishing controls, and food-safety requirements for salted/dried fish products under Codex guidance.
Major Producing Countries- 필리핀Identified by FAO as a key producer country for “Flyingfishes nei” (Exocoetidae) in global marine capture resources reviews.
- 인도네시아Identified by FAO as a key producer country for “Flyingfishes nei” (Exocoetidae) in global marine capture resources reviews.
Major Exporting Countries- 중국Top exporter in 2023 for HS 030559 (dried fish n.e.s.) used as a proxy category; includes many dried fish species beyond flying fish.
- 태국Top exporter in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; species mix not specific to flying fish.
- 인도Top exporter in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; species mix not specific to flying fish.
- 스페인Top exporter in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; species mix not specific to flying fish.
- 미얀마 [버마]Top exporter in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; species mix not specific to flying fish.
- 인도네시아Listed among top exporters in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; also a key FAO-identified flyingfish producer country.
Major Importing Countries- 중국Top importer in 2023 for HS 030559 (dried fish n.e.s.) used as a proxy category; includes many species beyond flying fish.
- 말레이시아Top importer in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; includes many species beyond flying fish.
- 자메이카Top importer in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; includes many species beyond flying fish.
- 미국Top importer in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; includes many species beyond flying fish.
- 포르투갈Top importer in 2023 for HS 030559 proxy category; includes many species beyond flying fish.
Supply Calendar- Philippines (Surigao del Norte case study):NovA 1-year local study reported highest flyingfish catch landings in November; seasonality varies by fishing ground and oceanographic conditions.
Specification
Major VarietiesHirundichthys oxycephalus, Cheilopogon unicolor, Cypselurus naresii
Physical Attributes- Small pelagic fish presented whole or split as a low-moisture dried product; appearance and breakage rates are influenced by drying method and handling.
- Color and odor are key buyer-visible quality cues; excessive darkening can indicate overheating/smoke exposure or oxidation.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture content and water activity are primary buyer specifications for dried fish to prevent microbial growth and quality degradation.
- Salt content (when salted) is a key commercial parameter affecting preservation, taste, and regulatory labeling.
Grades- For salted/dried salted fish in international trade, Codex CXS 167-1989 requires species name declaration on labeling alongside the product name; quality is often managed through buyer/private specifications aligned to Codex hygiene guidance.
Packaging- Moisture-barrier primary packs (sealed bags; often vacuum or inert-gas flush for oxidation control) with secondary cartons for export logistics.
- Packaging and storage focus on preventing moisture reabsorption, insect infestation, and oxidative rancidity.
ProcessingDrying (sun/hot-air; sometimes smoke-drying) reduces water activity for shelf stability but increases sensitivity to moisture uptake during distribution.Oxidation control is important for sensory quality during storage, especially for products with higher lipid content or extended ambient storage.
Risks
Resource Sustainability HighSupply ultimately depends on capture fisheries for flyingfish (Exocoetidae). FAO fisheries resources reviews highlight the Philippines and Indonesia as key producer countries for “flyingfishes nei”, so localized stock declines, management restrictions, or climate-driven variability in these fisheries can quickly tighten raw material availability for dried-product processors and disrupt trade commitments.Use verified catch documentation/traceability, diversify sourcing where feasible, and align procurement with fisheries management measures and IUU-prevention frameworks (e.g., port state controls).
Food Safety MediumDried fish products can face hazards if raw material handling, salting/drying, and post-dry hygiene are poorly controlled (e.g., contamination during drying, inadequate drying leading to microbial growth, or defects linked to salt and storage conditions). Codex guidance for fish and fishery products includes specific sections for salted and dried salted fish processing and emphasizes hygienic handling and HACCP-based controls.Implement HACCP and sanitation controls across receiving, drying, and packaging; validate moisture/water-activity targets; protect drying areas from pests and environmental contamination.
Traceability MediumSpecies identification and labeling can be challenging for processed fish, increasing risks of mislabeling and non-compliance. For salted/dried salted fish, Codex product standards require declaring the fish species name on labels, and importer requirements may enforce additional documentation and traceability expectations.Maintain species-level documentation, lot traceability, and labeling verification; use DNA barcoding or supplier verification where species confusion is plausible.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIf preservatives are used, acceptability depends on compliance with Codex additive provisions (GSFA) and destination-market rules for the relevant fish product category; non-compliant additive use can lead to border rejections and recalls.Formulate to destination-market additive rules and Codex GSFA where applicable; keep additive declarations and COAs aligned to product category and customer specs.
Sustainability- Capture-fishery dependency with exposure to overfishing risk and stock variability for small pelagic resources; disruptions in key producer countries can affect availability.
- Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and traceability controls can affect market access and buyer acceptance for dried fish supply chains.
- Climate and oceanographic variability (e.g., warming, current shifts) can alter spawning and availability patterns of pelagic species, affecting raw material supply consistency.
Labor & Social- Forced labor and trafficking risks are documented concerns in parts of the global commercial fishing sector, increasing due-diligence expectations for seafood buyers.
- Occupational safety risks for fishers and processing workers (small-vessel fishing, knife work, dehydration/heat exposure in drying operations) require management controls.
FAQ
Which countries are key producers of flying fish for dried-product supply?FAO fisheries resources reviews highlight the Philippines and Indonesia as key producer countries for “flyingfishes nei” (Exocoetidae). Dried flying fish supply is therefore exposed to fishery conditions and management decisions in these producer geographies.
Why is it hard to find flying-fish-specific global trade numbers for dried flying fish?Customs trade statistics commonly group dried fish across many species under HS heading 0305 and related subheadings (e.g., HS 030559 for “dried fish n.e.s.”). Because flying fish is usually not separated as its own HS code, publicly reported trade totals typically reflect mixed-species dried fish rather than flying fish alone.
What international references are commonly used for hygiene and labeling expectations for dried/salted fish?Codex Alimentarius provides widely used references: the Code of Practice for Fish and Fishery Products (CXC 52-2003) for hygienic handling and processing guidance (including salted/dried salted fish sections), and product standards such as CXS 167-1989 for salted/dried salted fish that include labeling expectations like declaring the species name.