Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers — Market Size & Saturation

There are 2,784 fish and seafood merchant wholesalers establishments in the United States — that's 0.8 businesses per 100,000 people.

2,784
Total Establishments (QCEW)
24,777
Total Firms
0.8
Businesses per 100K People

Is Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers Oversaturated?

With only 0.8 businesses per 100,000 people, the fish and seafood merchant wholesalers market has relatively low saturation. Just 2,784 establishments serve the entire US market.

Low saturation can indicate an opportunity — either the market is underserved, or there are high barriers to entry (capital requirements, licensing, specialized skills). If demand exists and you can clear the entry barriers, competition will be limited. However, verify that low saturation isn't due to declining demand.

Competition Dynamics

Entry and exit rates reveal how actively the competitive landscape is changing.

7.4%
Entry Rate
7.7%
Exit Rate
67%
5-Year Survival
+2.7%
Net Growth

More businesses are closing (7.7%) than opening (7.4%) — the market is consolidating. Remaining players may benefit from reduced competition.

Should You Enter This Market?

Here's a summary of the competitive picture for fish and seafood merchant wholesalers:

Market Size

2,784 establishments

Density

0.8 per 100K people

Avg Revenue/Business

$5.4M/year

Competition Level

Low Competition

Low competition suggests opportunity — if you can clear entry barriers and validate demand in your local market, you'll face fewer rivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many fish and seafood merchant wholesalers businesses are in the US?
There are 2,784 fish and seafood merchant wholesalers establishments in the United States (24,777 unique firms). This translates to approximately 0.8 businesses per 100,000 people nationwide.
Is the fish and seafood merchant wholesalers market oversaturated?
With only 0.8 businesses per 100K people, the fish and seafood merchant wholesalers market has low saturation and may present opportunities for new entrants.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW (2023), U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. Population: 331,449,281 (2020 Census).