Sandfish

Global Sandfish Market to Reach US$2.9 Billion by 2030

The global market for Sandfish estimated at US$1.1 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$2.9 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.6% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Food Service Application, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 19.8% CAGR and reach US$1.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Food Processing Application segment is estimated at 14.4% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$301.2 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 23.5% CAGR

The Sandfish market in the U.S. is estimated at US$301.2 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$658.6 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 23.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% and 15.9% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 14.0% CAGR.

Global Sandfish Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

What Makes Sandfish an Ecologically and Commercially Unique Marine Resource?
Sandfish (Holothuria scabra), a species of sea cucumber found across Indo-Pacific shallow coastal waters, holds significant ecological, economic, and nutritional value in the marine biodiversity and aquaculture landscape. As benthic organisms that filter sediments and recycle nutrients, sandfish play a vital role in maintaining seafloor ecosystem balance. Commercially, they are prized for their high-value processed form known as bêche-de-mer or trepang, which is a delicacy in East Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. The dried product is associated with health benefits ranging from improved immunity and anti-inflammatory properties to aphrodisiac effects, leading to strong demand in Chinese and Southeast Asian markets.

The commercial viability of sandfish has prompted many coastal nations-including the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and Madagascar-to explore hatchery-based aquaculture as a sustainable alternative to overexploited wild stocks. Sandfish can be cultivated in sea pens, lagoons, and integrated multi-trophic systems (IMTA) where they feed on detritus and organic waste, thereby contributing to circular marine farming practices. Their relatively low input costs and high market prices make them economically attractive to small-scale and community-based aquaculture enterprises. However, challenges remain in terms of slow growth rates, vulnerability to environmental stress, and susceptibility to overharvesting in unregulated fisheries.

How Is Aquaculture Innovation Shaping the Future of Sandfish Supply Chains?
Aquaculture is emerging as the most promising strategy to meet global demand for sandfish while alleviating pressure on wild populations. Hatchery technologies have advanced significantly, with improved broodstock conditioning, larval rearing protocols, and juvenile grow-out techniques now available to commercial and community-based hatcheries. Innovations in microalgae feeding, probiotics, and disease management are increasing survival rates and accelerating growth timelines, allowing for more predictable harvest cycles. Selective breeding programs are also being developed to improve traits such as size uniformity, growth speed, and disease resistance in aquaculture-bred sandfish.

Integrated farming models are gaining ground, particularly in coastal communities where seaweed, shrimp, and bivalve farming coexist. In IMTA systems, sandfish act as biofilters, reducing organic pollution from adjacent species and enhancing overall farm sustainability. Such systems offer dual benefits-economic diversification and environmental remediation. Geographic Information System (GIS)-based zoning, habitat restoration programs, and community-based resource management initiatives are being implemented to support sustainable sandfish aquaculture. Regional training programs and donor-funded capacity-building projects are also helping coastal residents, especially women and indigenous groups, participate in sandfish farming for food security and income generation. These efforts are enabling traceable, regulated, and eco-certified supply chains that address global concerns around illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Which Markets Are Driving Demand for Sandfish and What Are Their Expectations?
The primary consumer market for sandfish is centered in China, where dried bêche-de-mer is a luxury delicacy featured in festive banquets, medicinal tonics, and status-driven culinary displays. Hong Kong and Taiwan serve as key import hubs, redistributing processed sea cucumber products to broader East Asian and diaspora markets. High-end restaurants and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) retailers in these regions demand consistently processed, high-grade dried sandfish with traceability and certification. As income levels rise across Asia-Pacific, demand is expanding to urban middle-class consumers seeking premium seafood alternatives perceived to deliver health benefits.

Secondary markets include South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, where sandfish is used in hotpots, soups, and wellness dishes. Emerging niche markets in Europe and North America are beginning to explore sandfish as a high-protein, low-fat marine nutraceutical and as a specialty seafood option for Asian cuisine enthusiasts. However, these markets are more sensitive to sustainability certifications and traceability data, particularly in light of increasing scrutiny on marine biodiversity and illegal fishing. Exporters and processors are therefore investing in eco-labeling, blockchain traceability, and third-party quality assurance to meet the expectations of high-end buyers and regulatory agencies in these premium markets.

What Factors Are Accelerating Market Growth and Sustainability Efforts for Sandfish?
The growth in the sandfish market is driven by several factors, including escalating demand for bêche-de-mer in Asian markets, rising interest in sustainable aquaculture, and increasing attention to marine resource conservation. The price premium attached to dried sandfish-especially those harvested from clean, well-managed environments-is creating economic incentives for smallholder farmers and coastal cooperatives. Government and NGO-led programs focused on rural livelihoods, gender empowerment, and climate resilience are using sandfish farming as an inclusive, low-impact intervention that supports both nutrition and income generation.

Regulatory reform is playing a key role in shaping a sustainable sandfish economy. Fishing bans, seasonal closures, and marine protected areas are being enforced to curb overexploitation, while aquaculture licensing and stock enhancement programs are helping stabilize supply. The integration of sandfish into national aquaculture development strategies in countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Madagascar signals institutional support for its expansion. Additionally, consumer awareness campaigns around the ethical sourcing and ecological value of sea cucumbers are helping create demand for traceable, responsibly farmed sandfish. As the global seafood industry moves toward more accountable and diversified sourcing, sandfish is emerging as a model species that bridges ecological stewardship with economic opportunity.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Sandfish market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Application (Food Service Application, Food Processing Application, Medical Applications, Other Applications)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 44 Featured) -

• Aik Lee Dried Seafood
• Australis Aquaculture
• Cermaq Group AS
• Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
• Indian Ocean Trepang
• Joo Hwa Food
• Leroy Seafood Group ASA
• Mimshach Aquaculture Farm
• National Aquaculture Group
• Nissui Corporation
• P/F Bakkafrost
• Penglai Shenao Biotech
• Seychelles Aquaculture
• Tasmanian Seafoods
• Thai Union Group
• Vietnam Sea Cucumber Corp (VSCC)
• Vitacopia

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