• Wild-caught Indo-Pacific pelagic — Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel), clean oceanic source

• Multiple presentations — whole round, gutted, HGT (headed & gutted), fillet / butterfly

• Size-graded — by count 2–4, 4–6, 6–8, 8–10, 10–12, 12–14 pcs/kg (or by weight 100–500 g; length 18–33 cm)

• Graded quality — A / AA / AAA (China origin) or A / B / C (India origin); AAA = no blood / red eye (steaming), A = with blood / red eye (frying & salting)

• Histamine-controlled cold chain — rapid chilling + -18°C deep freezing, HACCP-monitored throughout

• IQF or block frozen (BQF) — glazing 5–10% optional, per buyer spec

• High omega-3 (DHA/EPA), high protein (~21 g/100 g), rich in niacin (B3) and B vitamins

• 24-month frozen shelf life at -18°C or below (unopened)

• Fried, grilled, or pan-seared (whole or fillet) — crispy skin, succulent oily flesh

• Indian / Sri Lankan mackerel curry (gulai ikan, coconut-based)

• Southeast Asian grilled fish (e.g., ikan kembung panggang)

• Smoking, canning (in oil / tomato sauce), and value-added fillet lines

• Pickled / escabeche preserves

• Foodservice, retail, and manufacturing supply

HACCP · BRC · HALAL · ISO 22000 (FDA / EU registration available on request)

Store at -18°C or below. Maintain an unbroken cold chain — temperature abuse raises histamine risk. Thaw under refrigeration; do not refreeze after thawing. Cook thoroughly before consumption.

A. Procurement / Trade

What is your MOQ, and can different products be mixed in one container? Standard MOQ is one 20' reefer container (approx. 11–14 MT) or one 40' reefer (approx. 24–28 MT) depending on pack; mixed loading with other frozen seafood items from our catalog is available subject to compatible storage temperature and carton dimensions.

What is the production lead time, and what Incoterms do you offer? Typical lead time is about 7–20 days after order confirmation and receipt of deposit. We trade on FOB, CIF, and CFR terms. Main loading ports: Fuzhou / Xiamen / Qingdao, China.

What payment terms do you accept? We accept T/T (30% deposit, 70% against copy of B/L) and L/C at sight for qualified buyers.

Can you provide samples? What is the sample cost and lead time? Frozen mackerel samples require an intact cold chain; where feasible we ship reference samples frozen with temperature control. Sample and international courier costs are borne by the buyer (or deducted from the first official order). Sample lead time is 5–7 working days.

B. Documents / Compliance

What export documents do you provide? We supply Health Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Catch Certificate / IUU Declaration, Certificate of Analysis (COA), Heavy Metal & Microbiology Analysis, Packing List, Commercial Invoice, and Bill of Lading. HALAL certificate and EU-approved establishment number are issued where required by destination.

Which certifications apply to this product? HACCP and HALAL as standard; BRC, ISO 22000, FDA registration, and EU approval can be supplied on request. (Note: this is wild-caught pelagic fish, so we offer MSC / fishery traceability on request rather than farm-based ASC, which does not apply.)

What is the country of origin and FAO fishing area? How is traceability managed? Country of origin: China (CN), processed from Rastrelliger kanagurta raw material sourced from the Indian Ocean / Western Pacific (FAO areas 51 / 57 / 71). Each lot carries a batch code linked to catch and processing records for full traceability.

C. Specs / Logistics

What are the carton specifications and container loading? Standard packing: 10 kg/ctn or 20 kg/ctn; IQF bulk 10 kg master carton; BQF block 10 kg/20 kg. Approx. 24–28 MT per 40' reefer / 11–14 MT per 20' reefer depending on pack config; palletization available.

What is the remaining shelf life at shipment, and how do you guarantee cold-chain integrity? Minimum 24 months from production; we ensure at least 22–23 months remaining at shipment. Reefer set at -18°C (±1°C) with optional temperature logger; containers are pre-cooled before loading.

Do you offer OEM / private label / custom specifications? Yes. We support OEM, private label, and custom spec — presentation (whole round / gutted / HGT / fillet), size count or weight, grade (A/AA/AAA or A/B/C), glaze % (typically 5–10%, or 100% net weight), net weight (100% / 95% / 90% / 85%), and labeling adjustments.

D. Technical Clarification

Which species is this — and how do I distinguish Indian mackerel from other mackerels? This is Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel). Do not confuse it with Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) or the smaller short mackerel (R. brachysoma) / island mackerel (R. faughni); they differ in size, fat profile, and market. Allergen declaration: Fish (Scombridae). Clear Latin-name labeling avoids substitution disputes with buyers expecting a different mackerel.

Why is histamine (scombrotoxin) control the single most important quality point for mackerel? Mackerel is a Scombridae fish; if not rapidly chilled and deep-frozen, naturally present bacteria convert histidine into histamine, a heat-stable toxin that survives cooking and causes scombroid poisoning and batch rejection. Our process uses rapid chilling, -18°C deep freezing, and a monitored cold chain (HACCP) to keep histamine within safe limits — this is the core quality gate we certify.

What is the difference between whole round, HGT, and fillet, and what do the A/AA/AAA grades mean? Whole round = intact fish; gutted = viscera removed; HGT = headed & gutted; fillet = boneless cut. Grades reflect appearance and use: AAA (no blood / red eye, for steaming), AA (few blood spots, steaming), A (with blood / red eye, for frying & salting / canteen) — segmentation follows major destination preferences (e.g., Thailand steaming grades 4–6 / 6–8 pcs/kg; Malaysia 6–8 / 8–10).

Is this farmed or wild, and which sustainability certification applies? Rastrelliger kanagurta is wild-caught pelagic; we offer MSC / fishery traceability on request. ASC (aquaculture) does not apply because the species is not farmed.