Top Anchoveta Peruvian Anchovy Fishing Countries

The Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) is a small, schooling fish found primarily in the nutrient-rich waters of the Southeast Pacific, particularly along the coasts of Peru and Chile. Renowned for its immense biomass, the anchoveta is the cornerstone of one of the world’s largest single-species fisheries, predominantly harvested for fishmeal and fish oil, which are vital to global aquaculture and livestock industries. Peru is by far the leading country in anchoveta fishing, typically accounting for the majority of the global catch, followed by Chile. Together, these two countries dominate the industry due to the favorable conditions created by the Humboldt Current, which sustains massive anchoveta populations. Other countries such as Ecuador and, to a far lesser extent, China and Russia, also report anchovy catches, but their contributions are minor compared to the overwhelming dominance of Peru and Chile in this sector.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.