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Photo: Union Forsea Corp.
Frozen Mackerel Imports to Korea Surge 53% in 2025 Despite October Dip
SOUTH KOREA
Friday, November 14, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Norway Dominates Korean Mackerel Market as Import Value Jumps 80%
According to analysis by Union Forsea Corp., the cumulative import volume of frozen mackerel to Korea reached 40,567 tons from January to October 2025. This represents a significant 53% increase compared to the 26,559 tons imported during the same ten-month period in 2024.
Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council
In the month of October 2025 alone, a total of 254 tons were imported. This figure, however, marked a 65% decrease from the 735 tons recorded in October 2024. Overall, mackerel accounted for approximately 5% of the total seafood imports, which totaled 778,281 tons during the same period.
Norway firmly dominated the market, supplying 78% of the total volume, amounting to 31,697 tons. The second-largest supplier was China with 4,010 tons (10%), followed by the United Kingdom with 1,820 tons, and the Netherlands with 1,383 tons.
Frozen Mackerel Import Volume by Supplier (Jan-Oct 2025)
The average import prices varied by origin: Norwegian mackerel averaged USD 2.81/kg, Chinese averaged USD 1.88/kg, and British mackerel reached USD 2.86/kg.
The import value for October 2025 was USD 590,000, which was 61% lower than the USD 1.55 million recorded in October 2024.
However, the cumulative import value for the first ten months of 2025 saw a substantial increase, reaching USD 108.41 million. This marks an 80% surge compared to the USD 60.13 million value in 2024.
Photo: Union Forsea Corp.
The average import price across all sources stood at USD 2.67/kg, an 18% rise from USD 2.26/kg in 2024. This price increase is primarily attributed to rising raw material prices in Norway.
For reference in the domestic market, the wholesale price of Norwegian frozen mackerel (400/600g, 20kg packaging) is approximately KRW 165,000. This is 83% higher than the previous year’s price level of about KRW 90,000.
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