South Korea's year-to-date imports of frozen pollock have declined, falling 10% from the previous year, despite a minor increase in September volume.

From January to September 2025, the country imported 95,128 tonnes of frozen pollock, down from 105,136 tonnes in the same period of 2024. This volume accounted for about 14% of South Korea’s total seafood imports.

While the cumulative trend is down, September 2025 saw a slight rise to 17,133 tonnes from 17,127 tonnes a year earlier. The value of these September imports also grew 14% year-on-year, reaching $18.2 million. However, the total import value for the nine-month period saw a slight 1% dip to $100.57 million.

Russia remains the dominant supplier, accounting for a massive 97% of the total volume (95,540 tonnes). The United States and China followed with 2,377 tonnes and 141 tonnes, respectively.

The average import unit price for frozen pollock has risen 10% to $1.06/kg. This price hike is attributed to several factors, including rising exchange rates, increased shipping costs, and supply adjustments in Russian pollock production.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.

The country overtakes Russia as the main sardine supplier, boosted by CPEC and China's 'Green Channel,' ensuring freshness and quality.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's seafood exports to China reached $153 million in the first nine months of 2025, a 25% increase from the previous year's $121.9 million. This growth underscores the strengthening of trade ties under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and improvements in logistics and certification.

Frozen fish exports led the increase, reaching $41 million (up from $30.1 million), with a volume of 21.8 million kilograms. Fresh and chilled crab exports grew to $25.68 million, and frozen cuttlefish to $20.29 million.

A milestone was the explosive growth of frozen sardines, jumping from $3 million to $11.24 million. With this, Pakistan becomes the main exporter of sardines to China, surpassing Russia ($8.39 million) and Indonesia ($1.33 million).

Trade officials attribute this success to increasing competitiveness and the efficiency of China's 'Green Channel,' a customs system that ensures the delivery of frozen products in less than 48 hours, maintaining their freshness. These advancements consolidate Pakistan as a key supplier in the global seafood market.

• At least 7 Chinese jiggers and trawlers and 2 Korean freezer vessels have permits to market their catches in Europe despite being on lists of illegal activities or reported for mistreatment.
• They often change their names.

The closed pen maker will manufacture and operate kingfish facility in Red Sea

Aquafarm Equipment, which makes a GRP (glass reinforced plastic) floating closed containment fish farm enclosure, has announced that the first components for its latest project have arrived in the Port of Neom (formerly Duba port), Saudi Arabia.

Neom is a project in a region bordering the northern tip of the Red Sea. The Neom vision includes a sustainably-powered, high-tech linear city, and multiple regions including a floating industrial complex, global trade hub, and tourist resorts. 

Author: Gareth Moore / fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here

UK-based businesses that process fish caught and landed in the UK are facing major changes in the information they must submit to enable seafood exports to flow smoothly.

On 10 January 2026, new EU import requirements will come into force and so everyone involved in the UK’s seafood supply to the EU now has a role to play in ensuring they meet additional data requirements to keep exporting.

The Fish, Trace, Ship campaign, led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), make clears what action will need to be taken by each sector of the supply chain, from fishers and merchants through to processors and exporters

Source: Fish Focus | Read the full article here

A delegation of Guatemalan professionals from academia, government, and the productive sector is in Chile for intensive training in salmonid aquaculture techniques, with a focus on trout farming.

This activity is part of the "Technological Cooperation Project for the Promotion of Fish Aquaculture in Guatemala," an initiative by the Fisheries Development Institute (IFOP) and the Chilean Agency for International Development Cooperation (AGCID).

The training runs from October 13 to 30 at IFOP's Hueihue Mariculture Center. The program includes technical visits to key industry facilities such as Piscicultura Salmones Dalcahue, MOWI's Piscicultura Copihue, AQUACHILE's Feed Plant, and MULTIX's Processing Plant.

The project's goal is to transfer Chilean know-how and install infrastructure at the Center for Sea Studies and Aquaculture at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala to establish a complete trout production cycle.

India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, will travel to Europe at the end of October to advance negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), following 14 rounds of dialogue.

India's strategy aims to diversify exports and mitigate risks from global uncertainty and US tariffs.

A key focus is fisheries exports. The EU's recent approval for 102 new Indian establishments to export to its market has offset losses caused by US tariffs of 50%.

Additionally, Russia is reviewing authorizations for Indian fisheries products to enter, which could open up further access to the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Although the US remains the top destination, the EU is the second-largest market for India's marine products, followed by China, Japan, and Vietnam. Goyal is also expected to visit New Zealand to continue trade negotiations.

Esselunga launches Italy’s first land-based smoked salmon.

Italian retailer Esselunga has introduced the country’s first land-based smoked salmon to its shelves, marking a collaboration between Salmon Evolution and Milarex aimed at meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable seafood.

Available since 9 October under The Icelander brand, the product represents the first time Italian consumers can purchase smoked salmon produced entirely from land-based aquaculture.

Source: SalmonBusiness | Read the full article here