UK Seafood Federation's conference aims to boost domestic consumption amidst market shifts
The UK seafood sector is gearing up for a pivotal event aimed at tackling one of its most pressing challenges: increasing domestic seafood consumption. The newly established UK Seafood Federation, comprising leading seafood processing and trading organisations, will host a major conference on 13 October 2025 at Fishmongers’ Hall in London. The event, themed “How to Turn the Dial on UK Seafood Consumption,” promises to bring together senior industry leaders, government officials, policymakers, retailers, food service professionals, nutritionists, and innovators to explore ways to boost seafood intake in the UK.
This conference is being organised in partnership with prominent stakeholders, including The Fishmongers’ Company, Seafood Scotland, the Seafish Industry Authority, Ocean Fish Limited, and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Keynote contributions will feature prominent voices such as Henry Dimbleby from Bramble Partners, an investment firm with a mission to revamp the food system, alongside senior figures from across the seafood sector. The gathering aims to foster dialogue that spans the entire supply chain, focusing on seafood's vital role in promoting healthier diets, sustainability, and the future food landscape in the UK.
Despite seafood’s recognised health benefits and environmental advantages, UK consumption remains below NHS-recommended levels. The UK Seafood Federation’s Chairperson, Simon Smith, emphasised the broader mission at the heart of the conference: “Our mission is to be the sector’s voice in making seafood a bigger part of the British diet, for a healthier nation and planet.” This focus aligns with ongoing efforts to position seafood as a sustainable, nutritious choice essential for long-term public and planetary health.
However, current market trends highlight significant challenges. Data from Seafish illustrates that seafood purchases have been impacted by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, with a notable decline in chilled and ambient seafood sales, even as frozen fish has seen a resurgence. Popular species such as salmon, tuna, and cod dominate the retail market, with salmon leading in both volume and value. Additionally, seafood's relatively low carbon footprint compared to other protein sources remains a key selling point in sustainability discussions, underscoring the sector’s potential to contribute to climate goals.
The conference also comes at a time when the UK's seafood trade dynamics are evolving. Recent trade data shows a 4.1% increase in seafood imports in 2024, driven mainly by higher imports of pelagic species like tuna and increased salmon volumes from Canada, now the UK's fourth-largest salmon supplier. Despite this growth, imports remain down 14.4% since 2019, with specific declines in shellfish and wild-caught whitefish, reflecting complex market and supply chain fluctuations.
On the export front, the UK seafood industry remains robust, with a slight increase of 0.5% in export value to £1.73 billion despite a 3% drop in volume. France continues to be the largest export market, representing 70% of export value, with salmon again leading the charge in both value and volume.
Domestically, the UK fishing fleet landed around 680,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish in 2023, with pelagic species constituting 45% of the total volume. Key species by volume and value include mackerel, herring, haddock, nephrops, and blue whiting. The economic performance of the fleet remains an important backdrop to the broader industry challenges and opportunities discussed at the forthcoming conference.
The National Seafood Conference thus seeks to act as a catalyst for change, bringing together the whole seafood ecosystem to explore innovative strategies and partnerships. It aims not only to address consumption gaps but also to reinforce the sector’s role in health, sustainability, and the future of the UK’s food system, signalling a concerted effort to make seafood a more integral part of the British diet.