Debates on seafood in the Global South tend to prioritize food security, whereas debates on seafood in the Global North emphasize sustainability. We track the evolution of both debates and propose the concept of ‘sustainable commoditization’ to reconcile them. We identify three pillars of action that are necessary for sustainable commoditization of seafood in the Global South, namely: (1) sustainable intensification; (2) supply chain transformation; and (3) supporting policy and regulation. We believe that the concept of ‘sustainable commoditization’ is applicable well beyond the seafood sector and is especially relevant for agriculture and forestry more generally