Fujian's Seafood Exports Top China for 13th Consecutive Year, Surging to New Highs
By Staff Reporter | FUJIAN - Riding the waves of the blue economy, Fujian Province has once again cemented its dominance in China's seafood export sector. According to statistics from Xiamen Customs, Fujian's aquatic product exports reached 43.81 billion yuan in 2025, reaching 182 countries and regions worldwide, securing the top spot nationally for the 13th consecutive year.
With a marine industry output exceeding 1.3 trillion yuan and total aquatic production of 9.652 million tons in 2025, Fujian continues to lead the nation in multiple key indicators, including mariculture output, seedling production, and deep-sea farming scale.
Premium Varieties Drive Export Growth
Fujian's seafood export portfolio features a diverse range of high-value products. Abalone products remain a standout performer. In the first three quarters of 2025, Fujian's exports of prepared or preserved abalone reached 1.75 billion yuan, up 8.6% year-on-year, accounting for 98.3% of the national total. In the first four months of 2026, abalone and its products exports reached 770 million yuan, continuing to rank first nationwide. Private enterprises are the driving force, contributing over 90% of the province's abalone product exports.
Mackerel products also demonstrated strong performance, with exports of prepared or preserved mackerel reaching 740 million yuan in the first eight months of 2025, up 11.5%. Exports to Belt and Road Initiative partner countries accounted for 88.2% of the total, with Ghana, Chile, and Indonesia emerging as the top three markets.
Frozen shrimp exports have emerged as a new growth pillar. In the first five months of 2026, Fujian exported 280 million yuan worth of frozen shrimp, a surge of 53.2%, ranking third nationally. South Korea and the United States remain the primary markets, while exports to Hong Kong and Canada skyrocketed by 176.5% and 545.3%, respectively. Private enterprises dominated the sector, accounting for 98.1% of the province's frozen shrimp exports.
Regional Powerhouses Fuel the Surge
Quanzhou, a key fishing hub, saw its aquatic product exports reach 275,000 tons in 2025, up 12.3% year-on-year and setting a new historical record. "Quanzhou-flavored" aquatic products now reach 68 countries and regions. Notably, deep-processed products accounted for 35% of total exports, up 5 percentage points from 2024, as local companies pursue high-end markets by securing EU and UK export registrations.
Shishi City, under Quanzhou's jurisdiction, exported 193,000 tons of aquatic products in 2025, a 15.9% increase, also hitting a new high. Dongshan County in Zhangzhou exported 7.621 billion yuan worth of aquatic products in the first eight months of 2025, accounting for 25% of the province's total. Meanwhile, Zhao'an County achieved an import-export volume of 3.64 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, up 32%.
Ningde's Yellow Croaker: A 20-Billion-Yuan Industry
Ningde, known as China's "Yellow Croaker Capital," produced 222,000 tons of yellow croaker in 2025, accounting for 80% of the national total, with the entire industry chain exceeding 20 billion yuan in value. Products are exported to over 60 countries and regions, supporting more than 300,000 jobs. In the first quarter of 2026, Ningde port saw 13 live-fish carrier vessels depart, exporting 520.56 tons of live fish valued at over 25 million yuan, up 59.22% year-on-year.
Fuzhou's Eel Exports Skyrocket
Fuzhou, designated as China's "Eel Capital," is home to over 400 eel farming enterprises with more than 20,000 mu (approximately 1,333 hectares) of farming area, producing over 70,000 tons annually. In 2025, Rongcheng Customs supervised the export of 153 tons of live eels, a staggering 753% increase year-on-year. In the Fuqing and Changle regions alone, roasted eel production reached approximately 23,000 tons in 2025, with over 80% destined for export.
Emerging Markets: Africa and Latin America Take Off
While consolidating traditional markets in Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea, Fujian's seafood industry has strategically expanded into emerging markets. In 2025, exports to Africa reached 5.67 billion yuan, surging 35.6%, with exports to Cameroon, Togo, and Guinea achieving explosive growth of 2.7 times, 2 times, and 1.9 times, respectively. From January to October 2025, aquatic product exports to Africa alone amounted to 4.51 billion yuan. Processed products such as canned and dried fish have proven particularly popular, with exports of frozen Cyprinidae, frozen bigeye tuna, and frozen catfish soaring by 3.7 times, 1.7 times, and 1.5 times, respectively.
Deep-Processing and Value-Added Products Gain Traction
Fujian's seafood industry is shifting from primary processing to high-value-added products. Companies like Jinxing Food in Zhao'an have successfully transitioned to canned fish and prepared dishes, with exports to Africa growing 35.5% in the first ten months of 2025. In Quanzhou, products such as frozen battered fish fillets and cod "roses" (decorative ready-to-cook surimi products) have achieved export prices three times higher than raw materials. "The unit price of frozen squid products increased by 80% after obtaining EU and UK market access," said Shi Bijun, general manager of Fujian Haigang Food Development Co., Ltd..
Customs "Green Channels" Ensure Freshness
To support the seafood trade, customs authorities across Fujian have established "green channels" for aquatic products, implementing 24/7 appointment-based customs clearance and priority inspection. In Pingtan, the green channel has reduced logistics costs by 20 yuan per kilogram. In Lianjiang, customs clearance times have been compressed by over 30%, with one company reporting a 30% increase in overseas orders. The "cloud issuance" of inspection and quarantine certificates has further streamlined the process, enabling "zero-waiting" customs clearance.
Looking Ahead
With continued policy support, including the "Fujian Ocean Economy Promotion Regulations" and the "Fujian Haoliangcang" brand strategy, Fujian is poised to further strengthen its global seafood trade position. The province has cultivated 40 provincial-level foreign trade leading aquatic enterprises, with 15 recognized as national-level agricultural trade development bases. As deep processing capabilities expand, emerging markets open up, and digital trade platforms flourish, Fujian's seafood exports are set to ride the blue wave even further into global waters.
