Global Canned Sardines Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Oil-Based, Water-Based and Sauce-Based), By Packaging Type (Cans, Jars and Pouches), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online Retail, Specialty Stores, and Others) and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035.

Global Canned Sardines Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Global Canned Sardines Market Size Was Estimated at USD 2.02 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 3.97% from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Canned Sardines Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 3.10 Billion by 2035
• North America is Expected to Grow the Fastest During the Forecast Period.

The global canned sardines market size was worth around USD 2.02 Billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 3.10 Billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.97% from 2025 and 2035. Increasing health consciousness, the popularity of convenience and shelf-stable foods, increasing retail and online distribution, seafood diet trends, product development, and green initiatives are the most significant drivers for the global canned sardines market's consistent growth and consumer acceptance.

Market Overview

The canned sardines market is a dynamic segment within the global seafood market, focused on the manufacture, canning, and distribution of sardines that are kept in sealed containers, often in oil, water, or sauces. The target of this market is to supply consumers with a low-cost, healthy, and easy-to-use protein source that can be stored for an extended period and requires little preparation. Canned sardines are well recognized as a health asset, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D, offering a nutritious addition to any meal. Their shelf life and convenience make them perfect for daily meals, emergency supplies, and away-from-home consumption. In addition, sustainability issues have created a growing interest in traceable, sustainably sourced sardines. Combined, these factors are driving sustained growth and diversification in the global canned sardines market in both developed and emerging economies. The increased popularity of pescatarian and Mediterranean diets further enhances demand, making canned sardines a versatile, healthy, and affordable protein choice across world markets.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the canned sardines market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the canned sardines market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the canned sardines market.

Driving Factors

Consumers are looking more and more for healthy, protein-rich foods. Canned sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D, beneficial to heart, bone, and brain health. As health awareness increases, particularly in urban centers, more consumers are opting for sardines as a handy, healthy, and cost-effective alternative to other animal proteins. In addition, manufacturers are introducing new canned sardine products in various flavors, oils, sauces, and high-end packaging. This range satisfies various regional consumers' tastes and dietary needs. Innovations such as spicy, lemony, or herb-flavored sardines gain new customers and ensure repeat consumption, contributing to increased overall market demand.

Restraining Factors

Sardine supply is susceptible to overfishing, climate shift, and environmental change, resulting in volatile supply. This volatility upsets production planning and can raise raw material prices. Volatility in availability makes it hard for manufacturers to deliver demand reliably, limiting market growth and causing price fluctuations that influence consumer shopping behavior.

Market Segmentation

The canned sardines market share is classified into product type, packaging type, and distribution channel.

• The oil-based segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the product type, the canned sardines market is divided into oil-based, water-based, and sauce-based. Among these, the oil-based segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental growth is due to oil-based sardines possessing a richer, more desirable flavor and a tender; moist texture than water-based ones. The oil maintains natural flavors and enhances mouthfeel, making it a preferred choice for consumers seeking a tastier, more satisfying product.

• The cans segment accounted for the highest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the packaging type, the canned sardines market is divided into cans, jars, and pouches. Among these, the cans segment accounted for the highest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed due to cans can offer airtight sealing, which keeps sardines away from contamination, moisture, and light. This guarantees extended shelf life and keeps product freshness and quality intact, which makes cans the most dependable packaging for keeping the nutritional and sensory characteristics of canned sardines in tip-top condition.

• The supermarkets/hypermarkets segment held a substantial share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the distribution channel, the canned sardines market is divided into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail, specialty stores, and others. Among these, the supermarkets/hypermarkets segment held a substantial share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is driven by hypermarkets and supermarkets carry an array of canned sardine flavors and brands, fulfilling consumers with varying tastes. This assortment appeals to more consumers searching for products in a single location, increasing sales and commanding market share over smaller retail stores with fewer options.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Canned Sardines Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the canned sardines market over the predicted timeframe.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the canned sardines market over the predicted timeframe. Asia-Pacific boasts immense marine biodiversity and extensive fishing grounds, allowing for a consistent and high volume of sardines supply. Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan benefit from well-developed fisheries, allowing for high production levels that both serve domestic consumption and export, hence controlling canned sardines' supply chain. The population in the region has immense cultural demand for seafood, including sardines, because of their health benefits and ease of affordability. In most Asia-Pacific nations, canned sardines are a staple protein food, used extensively in everyday meals, that contributes to stable demand and facilitates market expansion.

North America is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the canned sardines market during the forecast period. North American consumers increasingly recognize the health benefits of sardines, including omega-3 fatty acids and high protein levels. The increasing trend towards healthy and functional foods drives additional consumers to incorporate these canned sardines in their diets, fueling the fast growth of the market in the region. Social media has been a major factor in making canned sardines popular, with users incorporating recipes and nutritional advantages from influencers. This trend has also struck a chord among younger consumers, increasing product awareness and pushing demand growth in North America.

Europe is predicted to hold a significant share of the canned sardines market throughout the estimated period. Europe boasts a long-standing culture of seafood consumption, particularly in Mediterranean nations such as Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Sardines form a basic protein source and form part of traditional diets that support steady demand and support the region's high percentage of the canned sardines industry.

  Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the canned sardines market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Bumble Bee Foods, LLC
• Crown Prince, Inc.
• King Oscar AS
• Season Brand
• Wild Planet Foods, Inc.
• Brunswick Seafood
• Sardinha Portuguesa
• Ligo Sardines
• Riga Gold
• Connétable
• Nuri
• La Sirena
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Recent Development

• In August 2023, Little Tin Co., Australia's sole craft cannery, launched a variety of sustainable canned seafood, led by sardines. The venture captures the rising demand for artisanal and environmentally friendly food in the market.

• In January 2022, Minnow, a canned seafood firm, launched its first line of products, which are Spanish sardines, Alaskan salmon, and Icelandic cod liver. This expansion reflects the increasing interest in diverse canned seafood options. 

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the canned sardines market based on the below-mentioned segments:  

Global Canned Sardines Market, By Product Type

• Oil-Based
• Water-Based
• Sauce-Based

Global Canned Sardines Market, By Packaging Type

• Cans
• Jars
• Pouches

Global Canned Sardines Market, By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online Retail
• Specialty Stores
• Others

Global Canned Sardines Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa