Surge in Frozen Mackerel Imports in South Korea: A 51% Increase in H1 2025

South Korea has witnessed a remarkable rise in frozen mackerel imports, with a staggering 51% increase in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year. Data shows that the cumulative volume of frozen mackerel imported from January to June this year reached 38,501 tons, up from 25,430 tons during the same period in 2024. This figure represents approximately 8% of South Korea’s total seafood imports, which amounted to 460,363 tons.

Monthly Highlights: June 2025

In a standout month, June 2025 saw frozen mackerel imports surge to 1,624 tons. This marks an incredible 363% increase compared to the 351 tons imported in June 2024.

Leading Suppliers

Norway has emerged as the clear leader in frozen mackerel imports, supplying a staggering 81% of the total volume, which equates to 31,078 tons. China secured the second position with 3,424 tons (9%), while the UK and the Netherlands contributed 1,510 tons and 1,167 tons, respectively.

Pricing Insights

When it comes to pricing, Norwegian frozen mackerel stood at USD 2.80/kg, Chinese mackerel at USD 1.85/kg, and Dutch mackerel at USD 2.84/kg. These prices reflect the growing demand for mackerel and fluctuations in the global market.

Value Surge

The increase in import volumes has been paralleled by a significant rise in the import value. In June 2025, the import value of frozen mackerel soared to USD 4.42 million, marking a 538% jump from USD 690,000 in June 2024. Over the first half of the year, the total cumulative import value reached USD 102.97 million, an 80% increase from USD 57.34 million during the same timeframe last year.

Unit Price Trends

The average import unit price for frozen mackerel increased to USD 2.67/kg, a 19% rise from USD 2.25/kg in 2024. This escalation can be attributed to heightened demand and variability in international market prices.

Domestic Pricing and Government Intervention

As of the first week of July, domestically distributed Norwegian frozen mackerel (20kg packages, 400/600 grams) retailed for approximately KRW 98,000, an increase of 42% from KRW 69,000 during the same period in 2024.

To address this rapid price increase and stabilize the market, the South Korean government has implemented an adjusted tariff of 0% on 10,000 tons of frozen mackerel imports, effective from July 1st, replacing the standard 10% import duty.

Source: Union Forsea Corp.