Strong Comeback After Nearly 30-Year Fishing Ban! Canadian Redfish Orders to China Double, Asia Becomes Core Growth Market

A major signal emerged at the 2026 Barcelona Global Seafood Exhibition: after commercial fishing of Canadian redfish resumed following a nearly 30-year moratorium, export orders to China have doubled directly. The Asian market has become the core driving force behind this recovery. Bolstered by global demand for whitefish alternatives and tariff advantages, Canadian redfish is rapidly gaining popularity on Chinese dining tables.

I. From Near Extinction to Explosive Growth: The Rebirth of Canadian Redfish

Due to overfishing, Canadian redfish was placed under a nearly 30-year fishing ban starting in the 1990s, until a turning point arrived in 2023.

Assessments by Fisheries and Oceans Canada show that the spawning biomass of redfish in Unit 1 fishing zone of the Gulf of St. Lawrence has reached 2.8 million metric tons, marking a full recovery of fish stocks. Commercial fishing officially resumed in the 2024–2025 fishing season, with an initial quota of 60,000 metric tons, close to the peak resource level of the 1970s.

However, the restart got off to a rough start. Strict restrictions on fishing depth and harvesting methods in the 2024–25 season resulted in actual landings of only 2,759 metric tons, a fulfillment rate of less than 5%. As restrictions eased, Canadian enterprises accelerated market expansion, leading to explosive export growth. In 2025, Canada exported 3,357 metric tons of fresh and frozen redfish worth 5.4 million US dollars, both surging by over 200% year-on-year.

II. China Market Takes Off: Orders Double, Ranking as the Top Target Market

Asia stands at the center of this round of redfish export growth, with China as the highest priority market.

Ka'Le Bay Seafoods, an enterprise based in Nova Scotia, Canada, revealed that at the start of the 2025–26 fishing season, it shipped only 2 to 3 containers of frozen whole redfish to China monthly. Following promotion at seafood exhibitions in Boston and Barcelona, orders doubled immediately. Annual shipments are projected to reach 75–80 containers, equivalent to 2,041–2,177 metric tons.

The core reasons for the strong popularity in the Chinese market are clear:

· Tariff Advantage: Redfish is a less commonly utilized species in China and exempt from import tariffs, delivering outstanding cost competitiveness.

· Consumer Compatibility: Small-sized whole redfish fits Chinese cooking styles such as steamed and braised preparations, enjoying high market acceptance.

· Substitute Demand: Tightening quotas and rising prices for global whitefish including cod have made redfish a cost-effective alternative protein. With low global inventory, supplies are quickly snapped up once available.

Apart from China, orders have also surged in South Korea, Japan and the Indo-Pacific markets. Canadian companies have set up dedicated redfish marketing organizations to fully drive its return to the global market.

III. Gradual Production Release Promises Bright Market Prospects

Canadian redfish fishing is supplied from three major fishing zones with a clear market layout:

· Unit 1 (Gulf of St. Lawrence): Focuses on small-sized whole redfish targeting the Asian market, with a quota of 60,000 metric tons.

· Unit 2 (Southern Newfoundland) & Unit 3 (Eastern Nova Scotia): Supply large-sized redfish products for the North American fillet market, with seasonal quotas of 8,500 metric tons and 4,000 metric tons respectively.

Industry insiders predict that if Unit 1 steadily releases its full 60,000-ton quota, China will remain a long-term core consumption market. Repeat customer purchases have already begun, the industrial chain is improving steadily, and a closed-loop system covering fishing, processing and export is taking shape.

IV. Industry Insight: A Win-Win of Stock Restoration and Market Restructuring

The remarkable comeback of Canadian redfish represents a double victory for fishery resource conservation and global seafood trade:

· For Canada: Its premium seafood resource dormant for 30 years has regained economic value, becoming a new growth driver for the fishery economy.

· For China: A new stable, affordable source of high-quality whitefish enriches domestic seafood supply.

· For the globe: It eases the tight supply of whitefish and sets a benchmark for sustainable fisheries development.

With improved fishing efficiency and deeper market promotion, Canadian redfish is poised to become another hit product in China-Canada seafood trade, following lobster and northern shrimp. For domestic importers and catering businesses, now is the golden window to layout this promising new seafood product.