2022 FCC Food Report: Exploring seafood preparation

Introduction

The seafood industry had a strong 2021. Global seafood demand started to move back from retail towards foodservice, helping volume shift towards more premium fish like salmon. Sales increased 22.3% in 2021, surpassing both 2020 and 2019 (Table G.1).

Exports grew over 41% YoY in 2021 led by a rebound in lobster and crab trade with the U.S. and a growing diversified list of importers in Europe. Higher prices supported exports and sales in the later part of the year, but overall, on a monthly average basis, prices declined on weaker prices in Q1 and Q2.

Employment grew just over 7% in 2021 but remained below 2019 levels. Businesses have been increasingly efficient at using labour throughout the past decade, and 2021 was no different.

The aquaculture industry in Canada has been growing steadily and accounts for over 28% of total seafood value according to the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. Going forward, growing sustainable fishing farms will likely be the long-term driver of growth... Read More