FAO has raised its forecast for growth in global fish production and exports this year

Industry Expertise

November 14th, 2025

According to the latest FAO Food Market Report, analyzed by the Fishery Shipowners Association (FSA), global fish production growth by 2025 is estimated at 1.7%, to 197 million tonnes. This is slightly higher than the level projected in June (+1.5%, to 196.6 million tonnes).

The FAO cites aquaculture (+2.7%) as the driver of this growth. The organization forecasts capture fisheries production to remain relatively stable at 92.9 million tonnes (an increase of 0.7%). Experts also note that reducing the TAC for some species of cod, haddock, and mackerel will lead to a reduction in their catch.

The value of global fish exports is projected to increase to $193.3 billion this year, up from $184 billion in 2024. These estimates have also been revised upwards compared to the June report, with the forecast for 2025 increasing significantly (the 2024 export value was estimated at $180.6 billion, rising to $183.8 billion in 2025).

Vietnam is seeing the most growth in exports, adding $1 billion in 2025, according to the FAO, thanks to significant shipments of frozen pangasius fillets, in particular. As a reminder from the FSA, this is one of the main aquaculture competitors to Russian wild whitefish.

The forecast for the value of Russian exports is $5.2 billion (according to FAO data, this corresponds to the 2024 level; according to Russian statistics, the 2024 figure was $4.9 billion).