Korea's Frozen Mackerel Imports Surge, Norway Dominates Supply

Recent news from SeafoodMedia shows that South Korea's frozen mackerel import market has witnessed significant growth in 2025. Both the cumulative import volume and monthly data have increased substantially compared to the same period last year, with Norway remaining a dominant supplier.

Import Scale Shows Strong Growth​

• In the first seven months of 2025, South Korea's cumulative imports of mackerel reached 39,292 tons, far exceeding the 25,554 tons in the same period last year.​

• The performance in July was particularly outstanding, with imports reaching 792 tons, a year-on-year surge of 539% compared to 124 tons in July 2024, showing strong market demand.​

Share in Overall Seafood Imports​

As of July, South Korea's total seafood imports amounted to 549,690 tons. Frozen mackerel accounted for approximately 7%, making it a notable category among imported seafood.​

Supply Sources: Norway Leads​

• Norway continued to take the lead, supplying 31,530 tons of frozen mackerel to South Korea in the first seven months of 2025, accounting for 80% of South Korea's total frozen mackerel imports, holding an absolute dominant position.​

• China followed closely with 3,596 tons, accounting for 9%.​

• The UK and the Netherlands ranked next with supplies of 1,557 tons and 1,167 tons respectively.​

Price and Import Value Trends​

• The overall average import price of frozen mackerel was ​

  2.67perkilogram,anincreaseof19

  2.26 per kilogram last year.​

• UK mackerel had the highest price at $2.84 per kilogram.​

• Norwegian mackerel followed at $2.81 per kilogram.​

• Chinese mackerel had a relatively lower price at $1.85 per kilogram.​

• Import value also saw impressive growth. From January to July 2025, South Korea's cumulative import value of frozen mackerel reached ​

  105.05million,an82

  57.67 million in the same period of 2024.​

• The import value in July alone was ​

  1.86million,asharpincreaseof550

  280,000 in the same period last year. The simultaneous substantial growth in import volume and value reflects the active state of South Korea's frozen mackerel import market.