IN BRIEF - Wholesale Prices of Norwegian Mackerel in South Korea
SOUTH KOREA
Thursday, October 03, 2024
As of October 2024, the volume of frozen mackerel imported up to September was 33,926 tons, nearly identical to the 33,927 tons imported in 2023. The domestic distribution price has shown a steady upward trend, with the average import price of frozen mackerel by September 2024 standing at USD 2.17/kg.
Norwegian mackerel accounted for the largest share of imports, with 27,941 tons, representing 83.3% of the total.
The average import price for Norwegian mackerel was USD 2.23/kg. Chinese mackerel made up 10.9% of imports, with 3,645 tons and an average price of USD 1.97/kg. Taiwan contributed 1,352 tons, making up 4.0% of imports, at an average price of USD 1.48/kg. Additionally, 611 tons were imported from the Netherlands.
In the first week of October 2024, the wholesale price for Norwegian frozen mackerel, size 300/500g, reached 99,000 KRW, a 2.06% increase from September's price of 97,000 KRW, and a significant 57.14% rise from 63,000 KRW in December 2023.
For size 400/600g, the price was 98,000 KRW, a 1.03% increase compared to September 2024 and a 44.11% rise compared to 68,000 KRW in December 2023. The price of Norwegian mackerel is expected to continue its upward trend in the near future.
To mark World Oceans Day, celebrated this June 8, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) published its report Fishing for the Future.
Madrid — The document highlights that the Iberian sardine (Sardina pilchardus) has multiplied its adult population nearly fourfold since 2015 thanks to a joint scientific-fishery plan between Spain and Portugal. This success contrasts with the fact that 49% of Spaniards mistakenly believe that an overexploited stock can never recover; only 26% know that it is indeed possible.
The study reveals that 67% of citizens are aware of the increase in overfishing over the last 50 years. However, 53% do not know which ocean most of the tuna they consume comes from. Alberto Martín, director of MSC Spain, and Manuel Barange, director of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the FAO, pointed out that with science-based management, marine recovery is a reality, also citing the success of the Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and the Cornish hake (Merluccius merluccius), both of which reached healthy levels following strict rebuilding plans.
MIYAGI – According to data compiled by the Miyagi Prefectural Fisheries Co-operative, the cumulative harvest of farmed Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) reached 2,201 metric tons as of May 31, 2026. This volume represents a 13% decrease compared to the 2,544 metric tons landed during the same period last year.
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Although the harvest volume rose to 900 metric tons in late May—up from 686 metric tons in mid-May—current landings are still lagging behind the 987 metric tons recorded in late May of the previous year. Historically, the peak harvest period for products marinos in this region intensifies from June onward.
In terms of pricing, the market is showing a strong price floor. The average unit price rebounded from its mid-May low of 758 yen/kg to 794 yen/kg in late May. The cumulative average price currently stands at 805 yen/kg, marking an 8% decline against the previous year's cumulative average of 878 yen/kg.
Puerto Montt — One week after the conclusion of the Second Chile-ASEAN Business Encounter 2026, organized by ProChile in Bangkok, Thailand, companies from the Los Lagos Region shared a positive assessment. The regional delegation included AquaChile, Granja Marina Tornagaleones, St. Andrews, Marine Solutions, and Imenco, firms connected to salmon farming, mussel farming, seafood, and aquaculture technology.
Francisco Pinto (Marine Solutions), Felipe Kauak (Commercial Manager at Imenco), and Eduardo Piccolo (St. Andrews and representative of Chile Mussels) agreed on the massive potential of Southeast Asia for identifying new marketing channels and strengthening the presence of local marine products and solutions.
For his part, the regional director of ProChile Los Lagos, Ricardo Arriagada, highlighted the area's competitive advantages in these strategic markets. The business matchmaking session took place within the framework of THAIFEX Anuga Asia and brought together more than 40 importers from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Bilbao — To mark the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated), commemorated every June 5, the Bermeo Tuna association hosted a round table titled "Effects of IUU Fishing on the tuna value chain: from traceability to nutrition" at the Itsasmuseum in Bilbao. The event, held following the organization's General Assembly, was moderated by Rogelio Pozo (CEO of AZTI) and featured presentations by Sara Arranz (researcher at AZTI and nutrition expert) and Sergio Gallastegi (CEO of Code Contract).
The debate analyzed tuna as one of the most widely consumed resources globally, whose value chain faces the threat of IUU fishing—a practice that generates unfair competition and jeopardizes food security and ocean sustainability. During the session, the implementation of CATCH was evaluated, which is the new European system designed to block illegal seafood imports into the community market. This event serves as a prelude to the II Bermeo Tuna Forum, scheduled for April 30 and May 1 and 2, 2027, which will place Bermeo, Bizkaia, and Euskadi at the epicenter of the blue economy.
The Basque fishing sector and government have decided to make a firm commitment to their seafood products with the creation of Kofradia Basque Seafood S.A., a pioneering initiative offering a 360-degree solution for fish by encompassing its entire value chain, from capture to the end consumer. “This project, which originated within the sector itself, is beginning to think more deeply about the end consumer,” explains Javier Bilbao, its commercial director.
Giving a boost to the fishing sector by covering all stages of the fish process and focusing, above all, on the end consumer. In the Basque Country, they are clear that this is the formula for adding value to local products and, ultimately, to an activity that is key in economic, social, and cultural terms for the autonomous community.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
Stores in the Netherlands join the British chain that removed the species from its product catalog due to overfishing of the stock
Last April, the British supermarket chain Waitrose implemented its decision to remove mackerel from the product catalog of its more than 300 stores. It can no longer be found fresh, chilled, or frozen. This was the distribution company's reaction to years of overfishing by certain coastal states that have jeopardized the stock, so that this product, even with a 48% reduction in the quota, no longer meets "Waitrose's responsible sourcing requirements."
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Conveyor belt specialist Marvis ehf has confirmed its return to IceFish 2026, where the company will showcase its range of conveyor belt solutions and components for the fisheries and food processing sectors.
Marvis specialises in the import, sale and assembly of high-quality conveyor systems and equipment, including plastic conveyor belts from Intralox, as well as electric motors, geared motors, spare parts and related components. The company has built a strong reputation in Iceland for supplying reliable, premium-quality products tailored to the needs of the seafood and food processing industries.
Norwegian salmon farmer Grieg Seafood is contemplating the issue of a green hybrid bond to raise NOK 750 million (£60m), it said in a market announcement today.
At the same time, it plans to buy back its previously issued green bonds from holders. The bonds are due in 2029 and are worth approximately NOK 1.904 billion (£151.7m).The company is offering a price of 105.75% of the nominal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Following the expiry of the buy-back offer, the company intends an early redemption of the remainder of the existing bond under the rules of the bond.
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The production value of all types of Icelandic farmed fish last year totalled ISK 53.4 billion (£320 million). The value figure is down by just 1% on the previous year, probably due to lower salmon prices which were a feature of aquaculture in the Nordic countries and Scotland last year.
The volume of exported products was 12% higher on 2024.The total production of aquaculture related ungutted fish in 2025 was 64,417 tons, a 17% increase from 2024.
Salmon products accounted for ISK 48.7 billion (£295m) out of the total. Salmon was also the most produced fish by volume, at 58,717 tons and a 19% increase on 2024.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Last days to buy this unparalleled seafood, which will soon be out of season and won't return until November.
Scientists have concluded that Atlantic spider crabs are different from those in the Mediterranean and now distinguish them by calling the former Maja brachydactyla and the latter Maja squinado. From February to July, during their peak spawning season, Galicia registers the highest numbers of egg-bearing females, explains the Galician Ministry of the Sea, which last year closed the season for this crustacean from June 21 to November 9 on the Atlantic coast and from July 1 to November 30 on the Galician Cantabrian coast.
Source: La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
SOUTH KOREA
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SPAIN
To mark World Oceans Day, celebrated this June 8, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) published its report Fishing for the Future.
JAPAN.png)
CHILE.png)
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The Basque fishing sector and government have decided to make a firm commitment to their seafood products with the creation of Kofradia Basque Seafood S.A., a pioneering initiative offering a 360-degree solution for fish by encompassing its entire value chain, from capture to the end consumer. “This project, which originated within the sector itself, is beginning to think more deeply about the end consumer,” explains Javier Bilbao, its commercial director.
EUROPEAN UNION
Stores in the Netherlands join the British chain that removed the species from its product catalog due to overfishing of the stock
ICELAND.png)
Conveyor belt specialist Marvis ehf has confirmed its return to 
NORWAY
Norwegian salmon farmer 
The production value of all types of Icelandic farmed fish last year totalled ISK 53.4 billion (£320 million). The value figure is down by just 1% on the previous year, probably due to lower salmon prices which were a feature of aquaculture in the Nordic countries and Scotland last year..png)
Last days to buy this unparalleled seafood, which will soon be out of season and won't return until November.
