8 Countries that Produce The Most Fish in The World

Fish sticks don’t grow on trees; they are probably made from the fish caught in one of these 8 countries that produce the most fish in the world. Fish and fish products are an important food source from ancient times and one of the primary sources of proteins and other nutrients for humans. Besides being the food source, fish is also used as an input factor in other industrial processes.

Fish production represents an important part of the economy for some countries. It is estimated that “directly or indirectly, the livelihood of over 500 million people in developing countries depends on fisheries and aquaculture”. Fish production can be conducted in two ways: one is capturing wild fish (fishing) and the other is cultivating and farming. Although fishing is still the primary way to produce the fish, cultivating becomes more and more popular way of production.

The world’s fish production is based primarily on the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is responsible for around 70% of all caught fish in the world’s oceans and is rich with species like herring, salmon, sardines, snapper, swordfish, and tuna. The Atlantic Ocean is rich with cod, haddock, hake, herring, and mackerel while the Indian Ocean contains large amounts of tuna and shrimps.

To determine the 8 countries that produce the most fish in the world we used data about global leading fishing nations for the year 2013 collected by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Data is based on capture production. Also, this is the most recent report available on this topic.

For some further fish inspired reading, be sure to check out our list of 11 countries that consume the most fish as well.

8. Japan

Production volume: 3,656,864 metric tons

Of course, a country that eats so much sushi should produce lots of fish. Japan is famous for its fish delicacies with Fugu fish being one of the most uncommon ones. Fugu fish is highly poisonous and can be lethal if not prepared properly. Still, this doesn’t stop natives and tourists from eating it.

7. Myanmar

Production volume: 3,786,840 metric tons

Rohu, shrimp and prawn culture represent the main part of Myanmar’s fish production capacity and are one of the country’s most important exports. Myanmar’s fish production is also crucial for the food culture, since fish is a huge part of country’s cuisine.

6. Russia

Production volume: 4,345,868 metric tons

Russia is surrounded by twelve seas and three oceans, has more than 2 million rivers, so it is surprising that the country doesn’t have a larger fish production. The country has been working hard on organizing its fish production in the past years, but there are still some challenges left. One of the biggest is that Russia mainly focuses on fish export while domestic needs are increasing.

5. India

Production volume: 4,645,182 metric tons

India doubled its fish output from 1990 to 2010, and now fish industry employs more than 14 million people in India.  With this growth in production, India is emerging as one of the major fish suppliers in the world and it looks like it won’t take long for the country to claim a higher position among 8 countries that produce the most fish in the world.

4. The United States

Production volume: 5,239,874 metric tons

Although the United States are basing their fish production mainly on the fishing, there is more cultivated and farmed fish produced in the country every year. Pacific Coast presents the main source of the fish with major domestic species being pollock, menhaden, salmon, flatfish, and cod.

3. Peru

Production volume: 5,854,233 metric tons

Fish production in Peru was largest in the world in the 1960s before it rapidly dropped, mainly because of overfishing which almost lead to the disappearance of some fish species. The main fish species produced in Peru today are sea bass, tuna, swordfish, anchoveta, herring, and shad.

2. Indonesia

Production volume: 6,101,725 metric tons

Although fish capturing has been declining in the past years in Indonesia, country compensated with fast-growing cultivation and farming production. The fish production plays a great part in country’s economy, contributing around 2.5% of Indonesia’s GDP. The main fish species produced in Indonesia are carp, catfish, and shrimp.

1. China

Production volume: 16,274,926 metric tons

There is no real competition for China among our 8 countries that produce the most fish in the world. China accounts for one-third of the world’s reported fish production and stands as world’s greatest exporter of fish and fish products. China has developed a widespread culture of cultivating and farming fish production and makes over 60% of all world’s fish produced in that way. Thanks to such growth, fish industry in China employs over 14 million people.