Tilapia slipped to fifth place among the most-consumed seafood species in the United States, despite a slight increase in consumption to 0.92 pounds per person, up 0.01 pounds from 2023, according to data release by the National Seafood Association.
Pangasius, a commonly imported farm-raised fish, moved into sixth place, overtaking domestic catfish. Americans consumed 0.73 pounds of pangasius per capita in 2024, an increase of 0.19 pounds from the previous year. That marked the largest gain among the top 10 seafood species.
The shift is particularly relevant to U.S. catfish producers, who compete with imported seafood in the domestic market. Catfish fell in the rankings as consumption declined to 0.52 pounds per person, down 0.03 pounds from 2023.
Cod moved into seventh place, with consumption increasing slightly to 0.54 pounds per capita, up 0.01 pounds from the previous year.
Crab also recorded a modest gain, reaching 0.48 pounds per person, an increase of 0.03 pounds. Scallops rounded out the top 10 at 0.2 pounds per capita, unchanged from 2023.
Scallops replaced clams in the rankings. Clam consumption had reached 0.21 pounds per capita in 2023 but declined enough in 2024 to fall outside the top 10.
While the figures offer a look at Americans' seafood preferences, they do not distinguish between domestic and imported products. For U.S. commercial fishermen, that distinction matters as domestic fisheries compete for market share alongside imported seafood.
The figures also reflect consumption patterns from 2024 rather than current market conditions.
"It's important to remember this is a snapshot from almost three years ago. Looking ahead, we're hopeful the Dietary Guidelines' protein-positive nutrition focus will help boost seafood consumption," Lisa Wallenda Picard, president of the National Seafood Association, said.
More recent retail data suggest seafood demand continues to fluctuate. U.S. seafood sales faced pressure from inflation in 2026, although September sales increased across all seafood categories despite 3.3 percent price inflation.
For domestic fishermen, the consumption figures offer a look at where seafood demand is growing and which species may face greater competition for a place on American dinner tables.
Changes in U.S. seafood consumption rankings for 2024 show several species important to domestic commercial fisheries saw smaller gains or declines, according to reporting by Chris Chase of SeafoodSource.
