Top Spot Croaker Fishing Countries

Croakers, belonging to the family Sciaenidae, are a diverse group of fish prized for their mild flavor and are recognized by the distinctive croaking sounds they produce using specialized muscles around their swim bladders. The most commercially significant croaker species include the Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis), and large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). The top croaker fishing countries are China, South Korea, and India. China leads the world in croaker production, particularly with the large yellow croaker, which is both wild-caught and extensively farmed in aquaculture operations along the eastern coast. South Korea and India also have robust croaker fisheries, with India’s harvests concentrated along its eastern coastline in the Bay of Bengal. These countries supply both domestic markets and international trade, making croaker an important species for food security and economic activity in Asia.

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