Demand and Trend Analysis of Surimi in East Asia

Surimi Sales Outlook for East Asia (2024 to 2034)

As per a new Fact.MR market research report, sales of surimi in East Asia are pegged at US$ 3.20 billion for 2024. The market in the region is forecasted to advance at 5.6% CAGR and reach a value of US$ 5.52 billion by the end of 2034.

Surimi is consumed as a healthier alternative to some meat products due to its low calories and fat. Increasing concentration on healthy eating habits is predicted to stimulate a lot of consumers from Eat Asia to adopt surimi-based products. In addition, the versatility of surimi is contributing to its increased adoption in several dishes.

Seafood is a pivotal part of the diet in the East Asia region. The adaptability of surimi to multiple cooking styles and recipes is estimated to contribute to its popularity. Surimi, manufactured from fish, including Pollock, etc. is becoming a popular ingredient in several dishes based on seafood. Economic growth in the region is leading to a significant increase in disposable income for some individuals. It results in a noteworthy shift to ready-to-eat and convenient food options and products that are based on surimi.

Advancements in food processing techniques are projected to lead to the production of several surimi-based products to enhance their appeal to regional consumers. Improved nutritional value, texture, and taste of food products are offered through these innovations.

Report Attributes	Details
Surimi Sales in East Asia (2024E)	US$ 3.20 Billion
Projected Sales (2034F)	US$ 5.52 Billion
Demand Growth (2024 to 2034)	5.6% CAGR
Demand Growth in South Korea (2024 to 2034)	7.1% CAGR
Sales in Japan (2024)	804.1 Million
Market Share of Itoyori (2024E)	>61%
Key Companies Profiled	Okeanos Food Industries Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. Maruha Nichiro Corporation Sajo Industries Pacific West Foods Co., Ltd. Thai Union Group

Why are Surimi-based Products Becoming Popular in East Asia?

“Economic Growth Leading to Rising Consumption of Ready-to-eat and Convenient Food Products”

Economic growth in the East Asian region is predicted to contribute to noteworthy changes in consumer preferences and behavior owing to increasing disposable income and increased prosperity of households and individuals. This is predicted to lead to a transformation in the patterns of food consumption, especially the adoption of ready-to-eat and convenient food options.

Urbanization with economic growth is resulting in busier lifestyles for a lot of individuals. With fast-paced lives and longer working hours, more consumers are opting for convenient food products that are comparatively easy to prepare and consume.

Surimi-based food products, including seafood snacks and imitation crab sticks, offer convenient solutions as they are ready-to-eat and pre-cooked and therefore need minimal preparation. There is no need for extensive preparation or cooking of surimi-based convenient food products. This feature of surimi-based products is estimated to attract consumers who give priority to time-saving food options, particularly in lifestyle with time constraints owing to work commitments or some other engagements.

Country-wise Insights

What Makes China a Key Market for Surimi Suppliers?

“Rising Use of Surimi as Versatile and Healthier Food Ingredient”

Attribute	China
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 2.17 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	5.2% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 3.61 Billion

With more consumers in China becoming health-conscious, an increase in the demand for healthier food products is being seen. Surimi is low in calories and fat and rich in protein therefore becoming popular among health-conscious consumers. As per a report by Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, individuals with increased health consciousness are adopting surimi as a healthier alternative to expensive protein sources.

The versatility of surimi as an ingredient is estimated to contribute to its increased use in several Chinese dishes, including soups, dumplings, hotpots, and stir-fries. Its features to blend well with several cuisines and flavors are predicted to contribute to the increasing popularity in China.

More people from China are becoming conscious about the quality and safety of the food products that they consume. They opt for packaged and processed food products that are believed to be safer. To some extent, surimi matches these expectations as a processed seafood item.

How is Demand for Surimi Shaping Up in Japan?

“Surimi Crucial Ingredient in Japanese Culinary Culture”

Attribute	Japan
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 804.1 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	6.5% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 1.51 Billion

Japan has a deep-rooted culinary heritage with a close connection to seafood. Surimi is predicted to hold a significant place in the conventional cuisines of the country. Integration of surimi in several Japanese dishes is estimated to reflect its crucial role in the culinary culture of the country.

Sushi, kamaboko, hotpot dishes, etc. are some traditional Japanese foods that use surimi as a popular ingredient. In addition to these specific dishes, surimi is used in several other recipes, including tempura, stir-fries, salads, and as a dumpling filling. Moreover, it is also adopted as one of the key ingredients in savory pancakes. Therefore, the adaptability of surimi allows it to seamlessly blend into numerous culinary preparations thus adding flavor and texture.

Category-wise Insights

Why is Use of Surimi Increasing in HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, & Catering)?

“Diverse Culinary Use of Surimi in Hotels, Restaurants, & Catering Businesses”

Attribute	HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, & Catering)
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 1.68 Billion
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	7.3% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 2.80 Billion

The versatility of surimi makes it an attractive food ingredient in the HoReCa (hotels, Restaurants, & Catering) sector. It is incorporated easily into several dishes, providing a seafood-like texture and taste without any complexities of handling fresh seafood. The flexibility of surimi allows chefs to produce a lot of dishes to cater to consumers tastes and preferences.

Competition Landscape

Surimi is adopted as a popular ingredient in several food manufacturing and food services industries for the preparation of seafood, including crab flakes, crab sticks, and fish sticks. Key manufacturers of surimi are focusing on offering quality products while matching the guidelines and regulations set for quality control of products. Adherence to these safety regulations is predicted to help manufacturers minimize their environmental footprints.

Companies in the East Asian region are investing in strengthening supply chain management systems, quality control, new development, etc., to get a competitive edge. Key suppliers of surimi are Okeanos Food Industries, Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., Maruha Nichiro Corporation, Sajo Industries, Pacific West Foods Co., Ltd., and Thai Union Group.

Segmentation of Surimi Study in East Asia

• By Species :

  • Alaska Pollock
  • Itoyori
  • Pacific Whiting
  • Silver Carp

• By Form :

  • Fresh
  • Chilled
  • Frozen

• By End Use :

  • HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, & Catering)
  • Food Processing
  • Households

• By Distribution Channel :

  • Direct Sales
    • Online Retail
    • Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
    • Wetmarket and Others
  • Retail Sales

• By Country :

  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea