A whole new kettle of fish! From casual caviar bumps to lobster topped street food, seafood is blurring the lines between luxury and everyday eating.
As the category casts a wider net, sustainability and responsible sourcing remain central to its evolution; from fish maxxing through stackable formats to a more considered fin-to-gill approach, the focus is on maximising flavour, minimising waste and reeling in a new generation of seafood lovers.
Our latest Fish & Seafood 2026 Report explores the key trends, consumer preferences and marketinsightsshaping the category.
Here are three top trends that caught our eye:
- Meat me halfway - from fish filled hotdogs to seafood taking centre stage in meaty classics, familiar formats are making fish more approachable. It's all about winning over seafood-shy consumers by giving them something they already know, with an unexpected fishy twist.
- Fresh to finessed - drawing much inspiration from Asian culinary traditions, preservation techniques like drying, fermenting, and curing are bringing new depths of flavour to the category. Beyond extending shelf-life, these methods transform fish into intensely savoury, umami rich, multi-purpose ingredients, showing how a little preservation can go a long way in making the most of the catch.
- Fishing for chocolate - fish and chocolate may seem worlds apart, but this unconventional pairing is challenging traditional expectations. Whether it's chocolate infused with fish or aged seafood enrobed in cocoa, the pairing embraces culinary experimentation and pushes the boundaries of flavour. Niche by nature but big on conversation, it's proof that sometimes the most unexpected pairings can make the biggest splash.
Hungry for more? Check out our full Fish & Seafood 2026 Report for the latest category insights and innovations!
Want more trend inspiration?
Join the TFP community to receive the latest FREE to access food and drink trends and future foresight
Not a trendhub subscriber yet? Book a complimentary 30-minute demo with our team and discover how trendhub's consumer insights can help you spot opportunities, spark ideas and make more confident decisions.
And here's the fun part: you choose the topic! We'll build a report together around a project, category or question you're working on - and you'll get to keep it after the call.