Photo: Union Forsea Corp.

South Korea’s Frozen Stingray Imports Dip 3% Year-on-Year Amid Shifting Market Dynamics

SOUTH KOREA
Monday, June 23, 2025, 04:00 (GMT + 9)

Despite Dip in Volume, Stingray Maintains a Foothold in South Korea's Seafood Trade

SEOUL — South Korea's imports of frozen stingray (also known as skate) have declined slightly this year, reflecting subdued demand and shifting supplier trends. According to data from Union Forsea Corp., total frozen stingray imports from January through May 2025 reached 2,836 tons, down 3% from 2,917 tons during the same period in 2024.

Monthly figures show a steeper drop. In May 2025, South Korea imported 558 tons, marking an 18% decline compared to 679 tons in May 2024. Despite the lower volume, the average import unit price rose by 2%, reaching USD 3.84/kg — up from USD 3.77/kg the previous year.

Major Suppliers and Price Differences

The United States remained South Korea’s leading supplier, accounting for 1,181 tons or 42% of total frozen stingray imports so far this year. Argentina followed with 669 tons (24%), trailed by Russia (236 tons), Vietnam (169 tons), and Indonesia (151 tons).

In terms of price per kilogram, Spain recorded the highest unit price at USD 5.77/kg, followed by Argentina at USD 4.58/kg and the United States at USD 3.62/kg. At the lower end, Suriname offered the most competitively priced imports at USD 1.98/kg.

Import Value Sees Modest Decline

The total import value in May stood at USD 1.90 million, down 18% from USD 2.32 million a year earlier. Cumulatively, the import value reached USD 10.89 million, a slight decrease of 1% compared to USD 11.00 million in the same five-month period of 2024.

Despite representing a small share of total seafood imports — just 0.73% of the 388,969 tons of seafood brought into South Korea during the period — frozen stingray remains a niche yet significant category in the country’s diverse seafood market.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

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