Exporting Canadian seafood to the Asia-Pacific: Top markets for 2026

The Asia-Pacific has emerged as a promising destination for Canadian seafood exporters, offering a vast and growing market. Between China, Japan, India, South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries, seafood consumption is deeply rooted in the cultures of this region. This makes it a significant part of the daily diet for millions of people. As the middle classes in these countries grow and disposable incomes increase, the demand for high-quality seafood products continues to rise.

If you’re looking to expand your markets beyond North America, you can’t afford to ignore one of the biggest growth regions: The Asia-Pacific. Population numbers aside—around four billion people—it’s the way this geographic collection of 40 markets is evolving that has businesses seriously revising their expansion strategies.

The region’s middle-class growth trajectory is staggering. By 2030, it’ll be home to two-thirds of the global middle class. Many of the ASEAN countries have recorded an average gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the 4% to 5% range, with Vietnam topping the list at an estimated 8.2% in 2025.

The key Asia-Pacific markets for seafood exports include Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, China and Taiwan, with emerging opportunities in Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Asia-Pacific is a complex tapestry of different languages, cultures, religions, consumer preferences, regulatory regimes and economic and political structures. While the whole region offers much potential, you’ll need to consider each market separately and perform the required due diligence prior to market entry. Achieving success in one market isn’t a guarantee of success in another.

For that, you’ll need to immerse yourself in market intelligence, including observations from key sector players who’ve had success in the Asia-Pacific and are looking to cast an even wider net in the region.

Keep in mind that our experts work hard to compile this information and keep it current, so reach out to us to get the latest available intelligence on the country you’re targeting in this region. In the meantime, consider this a quick primer on how to start thinking strategically about Asia-Pacific as your next export destination.

Whether it’s wild Pacific salmon from British Columbia, lobster from the Atlantic provinces, halibut from Nunavut, or crab from Quebec, the opportunities for Canadian seafood providers—for both wild seafood and aquaculture—flow from sea to sea to sea.

Long recognized for its nutrient-rich properties, seafood is gaining popularity with consumers for a variety of reasons. According to Edward Steeves, Export Development Canada’s (EDC) regional vice-president for the Atlantic region, five key trends are converging to accelerate demand:

1.  Alternative protein demand: The desire for alternative sources of protein has driven a long-term upward trend in the value of seafood exports that’s expected to continue as the world strives to feed itself.

2. Exponential rise of middle class: As the middle class continues its outsized growth in the Asia-Pacific, the demand for premium Canadian seafood is poised to rise proportionately.

3. Rise of frozen food options: A surge in frozen seafood options available at the retail level and a commensurate self-serve demand by consumers were initially a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the trend has continued post-pandemic.

4. Popularity of food service industry: Demand for high-end fish and seafood choices in restaurants is also on the rise.

5. Growth of aquaculture: Finite wild fish and seafood stocks, coupled with government quotas aimed at preventing over-fishing, have led to a growth in aquaculture solutions that’ll continue to accelerate alongside the demand for alternative, affordable protein.

“Canadian seafood is synonymous with quality and freshness. Recognized the world over as a premium brand, many of our highest-priced seafood delicacies are coveted not only for their taste, but as culinary status symbols in the Asia-Pacific,” says Ashley Kanary, director of global agri-food at EDC.

As the middle class continues to rise in the region—along with concerns about food safety and sustainability—so will the desire for Canadian seafood. The sector has the potential to grow its exports by catering to and building consumer tastebuds, he says.

Product innovations—from environmentally conscious packaging to low-prep, latest-taste offerings—will feed into the demands of consumers looking for simplicity, variety and the next best thing.

The sector’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices get high marks, as do its efforts to become even more focused on sustainability and boat-to-plate traceability. Technological advancements are turning traditional fishing vessels into massive, state-of-the-art, flash-frozen-at-sea facilities with little, if any, waste.

Currently, there are two free trade agreements (FTA) in place—the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA)—that provide Canadian exporters with preferential access to eight Asia-Pacific nations. Canada has also completed negotiations on a free trade agreement with Indonesia and negotiations are underway to solidify more FTAs within the next few years, including one with all 11 ASEAN countries. 

Tariffs and trade barriers:

China’s 25% tariff on Canadian seafood—mainly crab, live and frozen lobster and prawns—was the biggest barrier to trade in 2025. This led to Canadian products being overpriced and at a competitive disadvantage against the United States. That resulted in a nearly 30% decline in the volume of lobster and crab going to China last year. But that problem partly dissipated March 1, 2026, when China removed the tariffs on crab and lobster. 

On the plus side, Steeves says Canada was able to diversify its seafood exports outside of China when that market shut down.

Counterfeit product:

While it’s a nod to Canadian brand recognition in market, counterfeiting is a leading problem in the region.

Global competition:

While Brand Canada is well-entrenched in the region, we compete with strong challengers from the U.S. and Europe. Scandinavian countries are huge seafood producers with highly structured and efficient production capabilities. Located closer to the Asia-Pacific, their shipping costs are considerably lower and they have the ability to process in different countries that are closer to the end market.

Shipping long distances:

Logistics and supply chain issues pose considerable hurdles, given the sheer distance between Canada and the Asia-Pacific. Premium seafood is typically delivered live by air freight, adding significantly to the final cost. Frozen seafood has to withstand the complex distribution process—from main port of entry to supermarket shelves, or restaurant tables.

Price competitiveness:

No matter how amazing the quality is, there’s a limit to what consumers are willing to pay. That cap can vary widely in any given year, and with it, the prices Canadian producers can yield.

To better understand the experiences of Canadian exporters in the APAC region, EDC reached out to agri-food producers, including a sizable contingent of seafood companies. Their input was invaluable, offering a candid look at where they’re finding success and what they need to achieve greater market penetration.

Interestingly enough, the conversations with all of these exporters echoed five key themes:

1. Next-level buyer introductions:

Seafood exporters are looking for that deeper buyer intelligence. They’ve already secured solid relationships with the biggest buyers in one country; now, they’re looking for warm introductions to the Tier 2 buyers there and in neighbouring countries. Because many Canadian seafood companies are selling to the same larger buyers, there’s an urgent need to build out the size of the pie.

EDC is working hard to secure relationships with large retailers in the region, Kanary says, encouraging exporters to inquire about these relationships. As an example, we just provided Lotte Shopping Co., Ltd, one of South Korea’s largest retail conglomerates, with $200 million in financing.

“In addition to continuing to support Canadian exporters in China, our goal is also to broaden our reach beyond China and we're actively working on relationships in Korea, Japan, Philippines and Australia,” Kanary says, adding that EDC has several offices in the Asia-Pacific, including the newest additions in Tokyo, Manila, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, along with more established offices in New Delhi and Mumbai in India, Beijing and Shanghai in China, Seoul, Sydney, Australia and Singapore and Jakarta in Indonesia.

2. Over-reliance on China:

With the bulk of their seafood volumes going to China, Canadian exporters recognize the need to diversify within the Asia-Pacific. While they’re comfortable with their current levels of exposure in China, they’re looking to grow their share of alternative markets in the region—at least four markets, if not more. To pivot to new countries, they need expert market intelligence that verifies key indicators such as consumer demand, the competitive landscape and buyers they can trust in these vastly different markets.

3. Geopolitical shifts and unforeseen consequences:
The choppy waters of global trade created by tariffs from Canada’s two biggest trading partners have been challenging for Canadian exporters. When U.S. President Donald Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Canadian-harvested fish and seafood, Canadian seafood and fish exporters to rethink their expansion  

In March 2025, after concluding what it called an “anti-discrimination investigation,” China imposed 25% tariffs on 49 aquatic products, including crab, shrimp, prawns, clams, lobster, sea cucumber, geoduck and halibut, again making it difficult for Canadian exporters in that market. Tariffs have now been removed from key fisheries, namely lobster and crab.

4. Demand creation: Identifying potential market niches:

Canadian seafood exporters are aggressively looking for new lures to cast, including pilot entries, to build the brand and test the waters in the region. Identifying and nurturing potential niches are key steps. Take lobster in India, for example. There’s no demand now—but if the rising middle class is targeted with the right marketing campaign, you could end up with a whole new market segment. Identifying potential entry points would be the next step: In this case, convincing large Indian hotel chains that cater to Western lifestyle-seeking clients to put Canadian lobster on their menus.

5. Essential peace of mind provided by EDC trade credit insurance:
It’s a sentiment voiced by all exporters to the Asia-Pacific: They simply wouldn’t consider entering or expanding throughout the region without having EDC’s credit insurance in place. As a rule, Canadian companies are hesitant to take on new buyer risk without EDC’s support to mitigate the risk. But there are many more ways we can help exporters succeed.

Expanding our in-market presence

The Asia-Pacific is highly relationship driven, where business leaders want to meet face-to-face. EDC is heavily invested in the area. Here’s where you’ll find us on the ground in:

• India
• China
• Singapore
• Australia
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Japan
• The Philippines
• Vietnam
• Thailand

In each of these locations, we’re expanding our business development capacity to address the needs of next-level buyer intelligence and more specific market insights. We have highly targeted and motivated relationship agents at ground level, uncovering the Tier 2 buyers, as well as market analysts following consumer trends, identifying opportunities and gaming out potential plays for Canadian seafood exporters.

Leveraging our connections

We’re forging strong relationships with leading businesses in the Asia-Pacific and looking to further strengthen these connections and develop more, in order to build additional pathways for Canadian seafood exporters. As mentioned, EDC now has a significant presence in the region with 12 offices and a significant number of trade experts in the region, creating critical scale and mass.

We’re working to sign deals with major partners in the region to improve their ability to import Canadian goods. EDC officials are also attending fish and seafood trade shows around the world to build new connections that will help Canadian exporters diversify their markets globally, Kanary says. In addition, EDC’s analysts are mapping opportunities for Canadians across the Asia-Pacific.

“We’ve done seafood mapping for the Asia-Pacific to consider, on a species-by-species basis, where Canadians could go in addition to China,” Kanary says. “On a country-by-country basis, we know what the people in each market eat. We encourage exporters to reach out to us to secure this intelligence.”

Stretching EDC credit insurance parameters

Our capacity to offer credit insurance to our seafood exporters needs to grow. We’re working in partnership with these companies to not only identify new buyers, but also do the necessary upfront due diligence to make sure we have the risk appetite to support their sales.

“When pivoting into new export markets, businesses need to know who to talk to and that they’re not going to lose money. It’s our job to help them with both,” Kanary says. “At EDC, we have an enormous risk appetite for agri-food in general. Bring your deal to us; we’re open for business.” 

The exporters we spoke with see the Asia-Pacific as the most promising, dynamic market They want to do more to further diversify throughout the region and they need our help through more warm introductions, market intelligence and credit capacity to offset potential buyer risk.

Asia-Pacific initiatives net huge results for Indigenous fisheries

Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit, is nestled deep within Frobisher Bay. The city, Inuktitut, literally means “place of many fish,” making it the perfect base of operations for Baffin Fisheries, the leading commercial fishing enterprise in Northern Canada.

The wholly Inuit-owned company harvests more than 10,000 tonnes of wild, sustainable cold-water shrimp and halibut (turbot) each year from the frigid Arctic waters, which are an abundant source for their premium Canadian seafood products. Most of its catch is exported, with some going to the U.S. and Europe and a whopping 75% is destined for the Asia-Pacific.

The bulk of its exports go to China, but Baffin Fisheries has also found success in Japan and is looking to further diversify into other markets in the region. The owners’ confidence in building out their business there is buoyed, in large part, by EDC’s growing presence throughout the Asia-Pacific.

A critical element in Baffin Fisheries’ expansion plans was the launch of the Inuksuk II in 2024— Canada’s largest fishing vessel. The 80-metre, factory-freezer trawler has a capacity of up to 1,320 tonnes of halibut, or 930 tonnes of cold-water shrimp.

The vessel—along with its existing fleet—will not only transport its exports but hugely benefit the surrounding Nunavut communities. Focused on ensuring the sustainability of its fisheries resources, Baffin provides direct employment and a variety of other socioeconomic benefits to several communities throughout the territory.

The $72-million acquisition of Inuksuk II was financed primarily by Scotiabank and included direct lending from EDC.

“Supporting Indigenous companies in their growth and export aspirations is at the heart of EDC’s inclusive trade strategy,” says Bill Bavis, EDC’s commercial account director responsible for Baffin Fisheries. “The onboard technology of this vessel is incredible. It’s more fuel efficient, so this is an amazing success story on so many levels, including lowering emissions.”