Focus on the BIG picture.
Thursday, Feb 05, 2026
Outside the box.
China’s Appetite for Salmon: A Game Changer in Global Seafood Markets
China’s growing demand for salmon, along with domestic efforts to farm rainbow trout, are reshaping the global seafood trade and raising new sustainability concerns.
China’s demand for farmed salmon has surged dramatically, with a 46% rise in imports in 2023, and imports of fresh and chilled Atlantic salmon up 63%.
This unprecedented growth is reshaping the global seafood trade, as exporters from countries like Norway, Chile, and Scotland rush to meet the needs of this vast market.
However, China’s attempts to establish its own Atlantic salmon industry have faced challenges, leading to a rise in the domestic production of rainbow trout as a substitute.
Since 2018, China has allowed rainbow trout to be marketed as salmon, blurring the line between the two species for cost-conscious consumers.
Many Chinese consumers, in blind taste tests, could not distinguish between domestic rainbow trout and imported Atlantic salmon, but when informed about the origin, preferences shifted strongly toward the latter.
Despite these findings, the environmental costs of importing salmon are substantial.
The carbon footprint of transporting salmon from regions like Scotland or Chile to China is a growing concern.
Additionally, the demand for quick delivery and the e-commerce model for seafood further intensify the environmental impact.
These challenges have brought attention to the need for more sustainable practices within the industry.
In contrast, China’s domestic rainbow trout industry has shown promise.
While limited by geographical constraints due to the trout’s need for cooler freshwater temperatures, recent advancements in aquaculture may enable expansion.
With production growing to 37,000 tonnes in 2022, rainbow trout farming offers a more sustainable and locally sourced alternative to salmon.
Developing this industry could reduce China’s reliance on imported seafood, enhance food security, and support rural economies.
The growth of China’s seafood market presents both opportunities and challenges for global salmon producers.
If domestic trout farming becomes more widespread, it could diminish the demand for imported salmon, forcing exporters to rethink their strategies.
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor for Chinese consumers, the global seafood industry will need to adapt to a market that is evolving rapidly both in terms of demand and environmental concerns.
This unprecedented growth is reshaping the global seafood trade, as exporters from countries like Norway, Chile, and Scotland rush to meet the needs of this vast market.
However, China’s attempts to establish its own Atlantic salmon industry have faced challenges, leading to a rise in the domestic production of rainbow trout as a substitute.
Since 2018, China has allowed rainbow trout to be marketed as salmon, blurring the line between the two species for cost-conscious consumers.
Many Chinese consumers, in blind taste tests, could not distinguish between domestic rainbow trout and imported Atlantic salmon, but when informed about the origin, preferences shifted strongly toward the latter.
Despite these findings, the environmental costs of importing salmon are substantial.
The carbon footprint of transporting salmon from regions like Scotland or Chile to China is a growing concern.
Additionally, the demand for quick delivery and the e-commerce model for seafood further intensify the environmental impact.
These challenges have brought attention to the need for more sustainable practices within the industry.
In contrast, China’s domestic rainbow trout industry has shown promise.
While limited by geographical constraints due to the trout’s need for cooler freshwater temperatures, recent advancements in aquaculture may enable expansion.
With production growing to 37,000 tonnes in 2022, rainbow trout farming offers a more sustainable and locally sourced alternative to salmon.
Developing this industry could reduce China’s reliance on imported seafood, enhance food security, and support rural economies.
The growth of China’s seafood market presents both opportunities and challenges for global salmon producers.
If domestic trout farming becomes more widespread, it could diminish the demand for imported salmon, forcing exporters to rethink their strategies.
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor for Chinese consumers, the global seafood industry will need to adapt to a market that is evolving rapidly both in terms of demand and environmental concerns.
