HS Code:
The category 'Livers, roes and milt of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine' (HS Code: 030520) includes processed fish livers, roes, and milt that have been preserved through drying, smoking, salting, or immersion in brine. These products are often used in gourmet cuisine, dietary supplements, or as ingredients in processed foods. Fish roe, such as caviar, is particularly notable in this category for its high value and cultural significance in various cuisines worldwide. This niche category plays a small but significant role in global seafood trade, driven by demand for specialty and luxury food items.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $350 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database and International Trade Centre (ITC)
$80 million USD
22.9% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$65 million USD
18.6% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$50 million USD
14.3% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
$40 million USD
11.4% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$30 million USD
8.6% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
8.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
20% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-Japan EPA or within ASEAN)
Growing demand for premium caviar and fish roe in luxury markets
Increased exports from countries like Iceland and Norway to high-income regions such as Europe and North America
2021-2022
Sustainability concerns over wild-caught roe
Shift toward aquaculture-based roe production, impacting trade patterns and increasing supply from countries like China
2020-2022
Rising health consciousness
Boost in demand for fish liver products as dietary supplements due to high omega-3 content, particularly in Asia-Pacific markets
2019-2022
The European Union introduced updated sanitary and phytosanitary regulations targeting fish roe imports to ensure food safety and traceability, affecting exporters from non-EU countries.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters like Russia and Iceland, potentially reducing trade volumes to the EU in the short term.
Sanctions and trade restrictions stemming from geopolitical conflicts have disrupted Russian fish roe exports, particularly to Western markets.
Mid-2022
Decline in Russia's market share, with competitors like Iceland and Norway filling the gap in Europe and North America.
Japan has invested in sustainable aquaculture practices for fish roe, aiming to reduce dependency on wild-caught species and meet growing domestic and international demand.
January 2023
Strengthening Japan's position as a key exporter while addressing global sustainability concerns.