Food Trade Research Articles

Evaluation of Label Compliance to Allergens in Imported Asian Food Sold in Northern Italy

Abstract Background The import of Asian food is strongly increasing in the EU. In Italy, the Asian market has expanded over the last 3 decades. Unfortunately, the labelling of these products often implies errors, mainly due to linguistic differences. Consequently, it can become a consistent problem regarding food safety, in particular for allergens declaration. According to EU Reg. 1169/2011 (Annex II), allergens must be labelled in bold and translated in the current language of the Member State. Asian food non-compliant labelling could enhance the probability of allergic consumers to get adverse events; accordingly, it is important to increase controls on the imported products. The present work investigates the label compliance to allergens on Asiatic products imported in Northern Italy. Methods Totally, 39 foodstuffs were tested for gluten, 93 for white egg proteins and 118 for milk proteins by commercial ELISA kits according to manufacturers’ instructions. Samples were considered non-compliant when the results were above 20 mg/Kg, the law limit for gluten, or above the milk LOD (10 µg/Kg) and the egg LOD (0.4 mg/Kg). Results Data showed 18% (CI 95% 0.09-0.32) of non-compliant samples for gluten: 6 samples > 80 mg/Kg (snacks and ready to eat meal) and 1 sample containing 48 mg/Kg (snack). In addition, 19.4 % (CI 95% 0.13-0.28) showed presence of egg proteins (noodles, snacks, patties and pasty). Finally, 13.6% (CI 95% 0.08-0.21) samples were irregular for undeclared milk (noodles and snacks). Conclusions Products label report their content and represent an important element for food trading and tracing. The results obtained confirm a high percentage of non-compliant labels, underlining how the consumption of imported products can represent a health risk for allergic consumers. The present work highlights the importance of imported food monitoring to guarantee the consumers health, and of the implementation of standardized/international regulated labelling rules. Key messages • Many non-compliant labels about allergens was observed on Asiatic products. • Correct labelling of allergens in imported food should be monitored to avoid adverse events.

Práticas higiênico-sanitárias em feiras de arte e gastronomia de Niterói/RJ, Brasil

Introduction: Street food is an important market segment with an impact on the generation of jobs, income, and appreciation of food culture. However, it poses a challenge for public health because it increases the risk of transmission of pathogens from foodborne disease. Objective: Evaluate the hygienic-sanitary practices of food handlers at fairs and the physical-functional conditions of gastronomy and arts fairs in the city of Niterói/RJ. Method: The descriptive methodology was applied, using a qualitative and quantitative approach. For data collection, two scripts were developed and applied to evaluate the functional conditions of the fairs and the hygienic-sanitary practices of the handlers during sales, and a questionnaire was administered to outline the socioeconomic profile of the workers. Results: 68.1% were women; average income of 3 minimum wages; 51.1% had completed higher education; 46.8% had never taken a Good Food Handling Practices course; 70.5% did not use hair protection; and 86.8% used adornments. In 40% of the fairs visited, there was the presence of animals/vectors, as well as the absence of toilet facilities for handlers. Conclusions: Thus, despite its socioeconomic importance, the street food trade represents a potential health risk. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the hygienic-sanitary training of handlers and improve the environmental conditions of fairs.

Atmospheric Cold Plasma to Maintain Sea Bass Quality: An Opportunity for International Fish Trade

Whole chilled sea bass is an essential product for the European food market, and Türkiye is the foremost supplier. The importance of sea bass in the world food trade reveals the significance of food safety risks that may arise during or after harvest. This study aimed to examine the impact of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) on delaying the spoilage of sea bass. The ACP is generated by an original device that produces a dielectric barrier discharge plasma using an alternating current (AC) power supply, applying a 30 kV high voltage with a sinusoidal frequency of 20 kHz. Whole sea bass samples were treated for 1 min (ACP1) or 7 min (ACP7), and then stored at 2 ± 1 °C. Sensory scores of plasma-treated sea bass were higher throughout the storage period. Both treatments decreased the initial bacterial load and delayed bacterial growth (p ≤ 0.05) during storage. The mesophilic aerobic bacteria count of control samples exceeded 6 log CFU/g on the second day of storage. However, ACP1 and ACP7 did not reach this value until the third and fourth days. The control samples had higher TMA-N and TBARS (p ≤ 0.05) than plasma-treated groups. The treatment did not significantly change the texture. Although ΔE was higher in ACP samples, a discoloration that could affect acceptability was not reported during the sensory test. Cold plasma can improve the overall market value by maintaining quality, benefiting the global fish trade. It has been shown that cold plasma has promising potential in the fresh fish industry.

International trade makes European food markets less vulnerable to concurrent and recurrent climate extremes

Abstract Extreme weather events are occurrences of unusually severe weather or climate conditions that can devastate local communities, agriculture and natural ecosystems. Due to climate change, these extreme events are becoming increasingly more likely, lasting longer, and more severe in impact. In this paper, we illustrate the potential effects of concurrent and recurrent extreme weather events on EU agricultural commodity markets and, in particular, on production and trade. A combination of concurrent and recurrent events is expected to have a negative and compounding effect on domestic food supply and trade, making EU agricultural markets less resilient. A set of scenarios based on record low yields show how EU production could be drastically affected in the coming two years compared to a business-as-usual situation. Market disruptions would be potentially larger for commodities in which the EU has a strong net exporter position, such as wheat. In the absence of extremes in non-EU regions, trade reveals as a key element in buffering the adverse impacts of extreme events in the EU.

Development of russian-mongolian foreign trade relations in food industry

In the context of shifting trade emphasis to the East, Russia attaches great importance to the development of cooperation with the Asia-Pacific countries, where Mongolia is a key partner. The purpose of the article is to reveal global trade trends and identify key areas for the development of Russian-Mongolian foreign trade relations in the food industry. Having conducted a comprehensive analysis of the economic and political factors shaping bilateral trade, the article provides insights into the challenges and opportunities for expanding cooperation in the food sector. Global trend in the food market is that China a leader. China accounts for the largest share (35%) in Russia turnover also. Mongolian trade ties with Russia are becoming closer year by year. This was demonstrated by the official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Mongolia in September 2024. We can observe that Mongolia closely cooperates with such a region of Russia as Buryatia. Through a detailed examination of trade patterns, regulatory frameworks, and market trends, the study uncovers areas of untapped potential and identifies barriers to optimal trade flow. Drawing on industry best practices and case studies from other global food trade partnerships, the paper offers a series of practical recommendations for stakeholders. These recommendations cover infrastructure development, promotion of cultural exchange, harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks, absorption and use of technology to create a more robust and sustainable trade ecosystem.

Surveillance of Food and Waterborne Pathogens in North-East India: Protocol for a Laboratory-Based Sentinel Surveillance Study.

Food safety is a global concern, which is often underestimated owing to challenges in investigating foodborne diseases. These challenges arise from the increased globalization of the food trade, advancements in agricultural practices, and shifts in environmental factors. In North-East India, common diarrheal outbreaks from fermented foods pose significant health risks. Despite these challenges, systematic data on foodborne pathogens is lacking in India, highlighting a crucial gap in understanding food safety issues. The aim of this research protocol is to establish an integrated surveillance system to identify enteric pathogens circulating within humans, food animals, and the environment through a health approach in North-East India, and to conduct outbreak investigations. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) initiated a surveillance study across all 8 North-East states in India, employing a centralized digital database for data collation. The project aims to enhance theinfrastructure for microbial culture, antibiotic sensitivity testing, and molecular epidemiological studies. The study involves laboratory-based surveillance of foodborne pathogens in market foods, hospitalized diarrheal patients, poultry and animal farms, slaughterhouses, butcher shops, and diarrheal outbreaks. A standardized case report form ensures consistent data collection of age, sex, signs, symptoms, and admission dates for diarrheal cases. Stool and rectal swabs will undergo testing for pathogen identification and antimicrobial resistance. Similarly, samples of market foods, food animals, and the environment will be collected. Outbreaks confirmed by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) will be thoroughly investigated following standardized guidelines. In phase I, 5 surveillance centers were established across 4 states (ie, Assam [Dibrugarh and Guwahati], Tripura, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh) in 2020. Following an interim phase I data assessment and the successful establishment of a streamlined system for data procurement, investigation, recording, and analysis, along with the implementation of regular training and monitoring programs, phase II expansion was initiated in 2023-24. This includes the addition of 7 more centers (including 3 veterinary centers) in the remaining 4 states (ie, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland), eventually covering the entire North-Eastern Region of India. Food and waterborne diseases are a constant public health problem in many countries. Key challenges to the enhancement of food safety policy include the paucity of systematic data and awareness. With this background, ICMR's initiative is the first systematic surveillance study in the country to adopt a single health approach. Data obtained from this project will help to understand the risk of acquiring food and waterborne pathogens, their transmission pathways, and antimicrobial resistance patterns. The scientific evidence generated through this project will be helpful in formulating and strengthening food safety policy and in initiating government programs to protect the health of the nation. DERR1-10.2196/56469.

Innovative Pathogen Reduction in Exported Sea Bass Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Technology.

The safety of sea bass is critical for the global food trade. This study evaluated the effectiveness of atmospheric cold plasma in reducing food safety risks posed by Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes, which can contaminate sea bass post harvest. Cold plasma was applied to inoculated sea bass for 2 to 18 min, achieving a maximum reduction of 1.43 log CFU/g for S. Enteritidis and 0.80 log CFU/g for L. monocytogenes at 18 min. Longer treatments resulted in greater reductions; however, odor and taste quality declined to a below average quality in samples treated for 12 min or longer. Plasma treatment did not significantly alter the color, texture, or water activity (aw) of the fish. Higher levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) were observed with increased exposure times. Cold plasma was also tested in vitro on S. Enteritidis and L. monocytogenes on agar surfaces. A 4 min treatment eliminated the initial loads of S. Enteritidis (2.71 log CFU) and L. monocytogenes (2.98 log CFU). The findings highlight the potential of cold plasma in enhancing the safety of naturally contaminated fish. Cold plasma represents a promising technology for improving food safety in the global fish trade and continues to be a significant area of research in food science.

ҚАЗАҚСТАНДАҒЫ КӨТЕРМЕ САУДА НАРЫҒЫНЫҢ ИНФРАҚҰРЫЛЫМЫ: ЖАҒДАЙЫ МЕН ДАМУ БАҒЫТТАРЫ

This article analyzes the key components of the infrastructure of the food wholesale trade market in Kazakhstan. The authors provide a comprehensive review of retail trade formats in a regional context and assess the level of provision of trading platforms for the population. The study examines the structure of legal entities in trade, employment in regions, service preparation centers, wholesale trade centers, retail areas of large facilities, markets in rural areas, and the technical equipment ofspecialized markets.Additionally, the operation ofcommodity exchanges and the issues of purchasing products for stabilization funds are also explored. The state continues to play a key role in the food market, and the authors note that the Government of Kazakhstan is actively working on the development of digital infrastructure in food trade. The analysis identifies several issues that require state intervention, as well as the need to improve logistics and intermediary services. The authors emphasize the importance of introducing modern technologies alongside the development of commodity exchanges and mobile trade.

The intensity of regional food trade among the Western Balkan countries during periods of crisis

This study explores the intensity of food trade among the Western Balkan (WB) countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) during periods of crisis, emphasizing the impact of COVID-19 and the Ukrainian-Russian conflict on regional trade dynamics. The impact of this crisis was measured over three analyzed years: 2018, representing a reference year for comparison, then 2020 as the year affected by COVID-19, and 2022, being affected by the pandemic as well as the Ukrainian-Russian crisis. All data collected are from the “Trade Statistics for International Business Development Database”. Conclusions about the intensity of exchange of agricultural and food products within the WB region were obtained by calculating Regional Intensity of Trade of Export (RITE) and Regional Intensity of Trade of Import (RITI). Higher values than 1 indicate intensity in trade or dominance of trade in specific products with a particular region compared with the trade with the world. In the case of trade among the WB countries, the COVID-19 crisis did not affect the increase in trade volume. However, there was an increase in intra-regional trade by about 50% when compared with 2020 and 2022. The RITE coefficients for all countries except Albania were greater than 1, indicating intensified export of agricultural and food products to the WB region compared with their global export. The RITI index is very important in crisis, as it somewhat answers the question of who "feeds" the country during crises. All WB countries had the RITI indices greater than 1, indicating a higher intensity of food imports from the region compared with the world. According to this research, the RIT coefficients measured generally declined in the years of crises, meaning that the countries shifted their export focus to other regions but still the most significant foreign and intense trade partners in agricultural and food products were countries from the region.

HACCP operation in two Latin American meat packers: Case study

The hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system is a protocol aimed to guarantee food safety, especially in companies dedicated to meat processing. Companies in food international trade are subjected to intense inspection and verification processes, and international standard certifications have become a key factor in global trade. The purpose of this study was a comparative analysis of HACCP certification in the Mexican and Chilean meat packers that send meat to international markets by a field inspection of each to identify opportunities for improvement. International trade standards along with packers’ expectations and needs to be fulfilled to attain a place in world markets were bases for this study. Guidelines for field inspection came from the HACCP protocol. Field data were derived from 15 indicators — five intrinsic to the HACCP plan and ten external. The Chilean packer was superior to the Mexican packer in terms of many indicators. Thus, the first one had a chance for a better position in international markets than the latter. It was concluded that the HACCP audit is an excellent tool to measure the suitability of meat packers in achieving a place as a supplier and remaining in the international food trade.

Targeted opportunities to mitigate water scarcity, inequality, and inequity embedded in international food trade for vulnerable countries

International food trade reshapes regional water scarcity through virtual water transfers (VWT), influencing water use equality and equity. This study examines eight populous yet impoverished countries in Africa and Asia, representing 30 % of the global poor population and contributing 20 % to agricultural VWT. Despite their significant role, these countries have been understudied due to a lack of data or attention. By integrating multiple datasets and models, we assess how international food trade impacts water scarcity, inequality, and inequity within these countries and identify the driving factors. Our findings reveal varied outcomes: Uganda and Ethiopia benefit from reduced water scarcity (∼40 % and ∼7 %) and improved equality and equity (∼90 % and ∼68 %), while India and Pakistan face exacerbated scarcity (∼4 % and ∼2 %) and widening inequality and inequity (∼4 % and ∼7 %). The effects are largely driven by critical trade flows of staple and cash crops like rice, sugar cane, and cotton among developing countries, propelled by comparative advantages in agricultural production, econo-geography, food demand, and water endowment between importers and exporters. Addressing these water challenges involves diversifying import channels to reduce reliance on detrimental trade flows, such as India's rice exports to Iran, while promoting beneficial flows, like Bangladesh's cotton imports from India, through trade agreements. Additionally, implementing pro-poor water policies (e.g., providing water subsidies) and water-saving techniques (e.g., adopting drip irrigation) is crucial, though caution is needed to avoid unintendedly marginalizing vulnerable groups through large-scale water projects.

Impact of political relationships on virtual land flow from China's food trade

The increasing backlash against globalization has shifted public opinion towards being against trade. This situation puts food trade, which is resources constrained and susceptible to political relations, into a complex dilemma. Due to the concerns on agricultural endowments, food trade needs to be considered with strategic interests because of its sensitivity and fragility. Using virtual land as a measurement to analyse the resource flows behind the food trade can provide an objective perspective on what extent a country depends on the trade. Overlaying worldwide trade disputes and political interventions, establishing solid trade relationships is increasingly becoming urgent. This study uses an extended gravity model, assesses the virtual land traded by China with 10 species over 20 years, and provides insights on establishing politics-oriented trade relationships, further testing how this political mechanism works in the food trade. The results demonstrate that memorandums of understanding are the fundamental institutional layer to guarantee trading activities and promote smooth transactions for both sides; state visits are determinable factors in establishing bilateral relationships and it significantly promote upper-middle income countries, which crucially impacts the trading system. As those endeavors undertaken by executive departments are often ignored, more attention should be paid to them during interactive stages. Political relations show differences in food trade among different countries and varieties. The promoting effect of political relations is stronger in middle and high-income countries, and the impact on Russia and Ukraine is more significant than others. Compared within varieties, foreign state visits and endeavor presents more positive on pork.

Unveiling the dynamic flows and spatial inequalities arising from agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions

Tracing the spatial transfer and heterogeneity of agricultural methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in China is a prerequisite for the sustainable transformation of agricultural systems. In this study, we established a research framework for evaluating agricultural CH4 and N2O flows and convergence. Using this framework, we established an inventory of China's agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions calculated according to the IPCC inventory guidelines, built a food trade model to simulate the spatial transfer, and revealed the regional differences. Finally, we analyzed the influence mechanism by combining extended Kaya identity and the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) model. We found that inter-regional transfer of agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions in China have intensified, increasing from 56.14 % of total transfers in 2000 to 67.28 % in 2019. The spatial inequalities of agricultural CH4 and N2O increased, and emission intensity varied more within regions than between regions, with per capita emissions showing a club convergence with “intragroup convergence and intergroup divergence”. Although the contribution of agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions varies across provinces, controlling emissions intensity and land use intensity while maintaining GDP per capita is the key to emission mitigation. Our study provides theoretical support for prioritizing policies to mitigate agricultural CH4 and N2O emissions.

In-situ electrochemically synthesized “artificial” Gly m TI antibody for soybean allergen quantification in complex foods

Biosensors, especially those designed for detecting food allergens like Gly m TI in soybean, play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals who suffer from adverse food allergies, extending to both individual well-being and broader public health considerations. Furthermore, their integration into food production and monitoring processes aids in compliance with regulatory standards, reducing the incidence of allergen-related recalls and protecting vulnerable populations. Technological advancements in biosensor development, such as increased portability, real-time monitoring capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces, have expanded their practical applications, making them indispensable in various settings, including manufacturing plants, food service establishments, and even at-home use by consumers.For the first time, a biosensor targeting the Gly m TI allergen based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology was developed to detect/quantify soybean in complex food matrices and effectively address the detection challenges of complex and processed foods. The Gly m TI-MIP underwent a thorough validation process using anti-Gly m TI IgG raised as a polyclonal response to the trypsin inhibitor. Gly m TI-MIP was successfully tested across a range of food matrices, including tree nuts (e.g., peanuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts) and legumes (e.g., lentils, beans, and lupine), presenting minimal cross-reactivity with lupine and walnut. The innovative approach provided a linear response in the 1 ag mL−1 - 10 μg mL−1 range, with a LOD<1 ag mL−1. Applying the Gly m TI-MIP sensor to complex model foods allowed to detect 0.1 mg kg−1 (0.00001 %) of soybean protein isolate in biscuits, ham, and sausages before and after the respective thermal treatments. The innovative biosensor can significantly improve food safety protocols by addressing the complexities of tracing allergens in processed and unprocessed food products. By ensuring rigorous allergen control, these biosensors may support global food trade compliance with international safety standards, boost consumer confidence, and promote transparency in food labeling, ultimately contributing to a safer food supply chain.

Agri-SME managers' perception of financial management practices in Tanzania

Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises (Agri-SMEs) handle 60 % of all food production and trade worldwide. Despite their crucial contribution to developing economies, there is a widespread concern about their poor performance, largely due to poor Financial Management Practices (FMPs). This study used a survey of 427 Agri-SMEs in Tanzania to investigate managers’ perception towards FMPs and whether the implementation of FMPs impact the achievement of Agri-SME business objectives. Descriptive statistics were employed to characterize managers’ technological and financial backgrounds. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to assess perceived ease of use of FMPs and perceived usefulness of FMPs. The findings revealed that managers' perceptions of financial management practices significantly and positively influence the organizational performance of Agri-SMEs. Specifically, the perceived usefulness and ease of use of financial practices were key drivers of improved performance. Additionally, about 62 % of Agri-SMEs have not adopted Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Furthermore, 63 % of Agri-SME managers report limited exposure to financial management training. These findings imply that there is need for enhanced financial management technology adoption and managers’ frequency retooling on financial management practices.

The multiple dimensions of resilience in agricultural trade networks

Abstract The global food and agricultural trade network is crucial for food security. Shocks such as those posed by extreme weather events, conflicts, pandemics, and economic crises can test the resilience of the trade network to the sudden interruption of trade flows. Depending on the level of connectivity in the trade network and its structure, such shocks have the potential to propagate through the entire network and can affect countries’ food availability and variety. The paper contributes to the literature on food and agricultural trade networks in two main ways: (1) understanding the global trade network as a complex system that can be affected by and responds to shocks, we define and operationalize its resilience as a multidimensional concept which is shaped by the interdependencies in the network and their structure; (2) applying techniques from network analysis to examine the evolution of three dimensions of resilience within the global food and agricultural trade network between 1995 and 2019. The main findings show that, between 1995 and 2007, trade connectivity among countries increased. Overall, this bolstered countries’ and the network's resilience to trade shocks. However, vulnerabilities persisted in terms of ensuring sufficient product variety and quantity. Adding to these vulnerabilities, trade integration stalled in the second half of the series, pointing to a slight tendency towards trade disintegration and potentially lower resilience of countries to trade shocks already in 2019.

Food system adaptation and maintaining trade could mitigate global famine in abrupt sunlight reduction scenarios

After a major nuclear war, volcanic eruption or asteroid or comet impact that causes an abrupt sunlight reduction scenario, agricultural yields would plummet. We analyzed a nuclear winter scenario involving the injection of 150 Tg of soot in the stratosphere using a linear optimization model with and without global food trade. We investigated the effects of loss of global food trade, some simple adaptations like rationing and storage of excess food for the coldest years, and rapid, large-scale deployment of food sources which are less dependent on present day climate (so called resilient foods) including cool tolerant crops, methane single cell protein, lignocellulosic sugar, greenhouse crops, and seaweed. In the worst case of no global food trade and no adaptations, the model predicts a global famine. However, scaling up resilient foods quickly could mitigate this for many countries. Maintaining global food trade would further alleviate pressure on local food systems, unlocking the potential to feed the entire global population. However, insufficient preparation, post-disaster conflict, or economic collapse would worsen outcomes and hinder adaptation.

Трансформация пространственной организации розничной торговли в Архангельске

The article compares the spatial organization of retail food trade in Arkhangelsk in 1988 and 2022 in order to identify the changes that have occurred in the post-Soviet period. Its transformation was facilitated by the closure of industrial enterprises, most of them were located in settlements in outskirts, a change in the solvency of residents, and a reduction in the number of potential buyers. The internal heterogenety of the conditions for the development of trade in different parts of the city, differences in the provision of retail outlets for residents, the prevailing trade formats that are typical for central and outlying areas are revealed. Compliance of the principle of equidistance of shops from residential buildings was checked. We also conducted a content analysis of customer reviews about various formats of retail outlets. We determined that in 2022 the number of stores in Arkhangelsk increased by 3 times compared to 1988. However, their distribution throughout the city is extremely heterogeneous. There is a clear competitive advantage of the central districts of the city (Oktyabrskiy, Lomonosovskiy), where the number of stores has increased by 4–5 times, over the outskirts, where the growth is less than 2 times (Maimaksanskiy, Isakogorskiy, Tsiglomenskiy districts). The most common form of trade organization in Arkhangelsk is a discount store, which is associated with the low solvency of the city population. Most of them belong to federal retailers. Their expansion in Arkhangelsk mainly affected the central districts and bedroom suburbs close to them. The least number of stores of federal and local retail chains has been opened in the outlying districts; there aren't any shops on the islands without bridges (Brevennik, Linskiy Priluk, Khabarka, Kegostrov). For outlying areas, the most common stores are those that do not belong to chain retailers, these are small pavilions and kiosks. Most customers’ reviews of such stores are negative and the overall rating of their work is lower than that of chain stores.

City governance, urban livelihoods, and food security: insights from street food trade in Kumasi, Ghana

City governance, urban livelihoods, and food security: insights from street food trade in Kumasi, Ghana

Globalization of wild capture and farmed aquatic foods

Aquatic foods are highly traded, with nearly 60 million tonnes exported in 2020, representing 11% of global agriculture trade by value. Despite the vast scale, basic characteristics of aquatic food trade, including species, origin, and farmed vs wild sourcing, are largely unknown due to the reporting of trade data. Consequently, we have a coarse picture of aquatic food trade and consumption patterns. Here, we present results from a database on species trade that aligns production, conversion factors, and trade to compute apparent consumption for all farmed and wild aquatic foods from 1996 to 2020. Over this period, aquatic foods became increasingly globalized, with the share of production exported increasing by 40%. Importantly, trends differ across aquatic food sectors. Global consumption also increased by 19.4% despite declining marine capture consumption, and some regions became increasingly reliant on foreign-sourced aquatic foods. To identify sustainable diet opportunities among aquatic foods, our findings, and underlying database enable a greater understanding of the role of trade in rapidly evolving aquatic food systems.