IN BRIEF - South Korea’s Frozen Mackerel Imports (December 2024 Update)
SOUTH KOREA
Thursday, December 05, 2024
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By the end of November 2024, South Korea had imported 29,220 tons of frozen mackerel, reflecting a significant 20% decline compared to the 36,420 tons imported during the same period in 2023. Despite this drop in volume, domestic distribution prices have remained stable, hovering in the high KRW 90,000 range. The average import unit price for frozen mackerel through November 2024 was recorded at USD 2.30 per kilogram.
Import Volumes and Unit Prices by Country
Norway:
26,624 tons (91.12% of total imports)
Average price: USD 2.31/kg
China:
1,441 tons (4.93% of total imports)
Average price: USD 2.32/kg
Netherlands:
848 tons (2.9% of total imports)
Average price: USD 2.16/kg
The upward trend in Norwegian frozen mackerel prices is expected to continue, driven by stable demand and reduced import volumes.
Vigo – The Cooperativa de Armadores de Pesca del Puerto de Vigo (ARVI) sent an urgent letter on Thursday, January 29 to the Secretary General for Fisheries, denouncing the serious situation facing the sector due to the defective implementation of the digital CATCH system.
The organization warns that the platform’s structural failures are suffocating both Spanish-flagged fishing companies seeking to export and mixed-capital companies with processing facilities in Spain that need to import product.
ARVI describes the system as an “administrative fiasco”, with at least 11 critical issues that have turned the processing of fishery product exports and imports into a true logistical bottleneck. Among the most serious problems are technical instability, with constant system crashes and outdated limitations such as files of no more than 2 MB; duplication of tasks, forcing operators to enter the same data up to three times; and delays of up to 10 days in the review of applications, resulting in unsustainable logistical cost overruns and a breach of the Level Playing Field.
The cooperative warns that this situation directly threatens the supply of fish to the Spanish and EU markets, and has already led logistics operators to announce generalized tariff increases due to the additional administrative burden. Although the Administration has confirmed a temporary technical adjustment, ARVI considers the response insufficient and is calling for the immediate activation of a contingency protocol.
With over 30 years of aquaculture experience in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, NAPCO Aqua's CEO, Nabil Kammoun, is developing RAS and biofloc projects in the Kingdom, combining farm design, operational management and a 2,000-tonne pilot farm to strengthen the sector.
The company offers comprehensive services covering all stages of aquaculture projects, from conducting feasibility studies to designing farms and hatcheries and executing projects with ongoing technical supervision and operational support. Services also include water quality monitoring, technical assistance, specialised training and supply chain management.
Author: Yomna Elshamy / The Fish Site | Read the full article here
The annual mortality rate for farmed salmon in the sea phase in Norway – the world’s biggest producer of Atlantic salmon - fell to an estimated 14.2% last year, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute said today. In comparison, the mortality rate in 2024 was 15.4% and 16.7% in 2023.
The calculations are made on the basis of monthly records of the number of dead and live fish farmers report to the authorities during the year, when producers in Norway harvested more than 1.4 million tonnes of salmon (round weight).
Source: fishfarmingexpert | Read the full article here
The Japanese marine products group Nissui is to more than double its output in Chile after finalising the takeover of the fish farmer PesqueraYadran SA.
Nissui announced the purchase of the Chilean pioneering business through its subsidiary Salmones Antártica SA shortly before Christmas.
The plan is to build up output to more than 80,000 tons a year, by 2030 strengthening its global position in aquaculture.
The Tokyo Based company said this would mean increasing current production by two and a half times through the combination of operational efforts with Salmones Antártica SA.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
Laboratory tests have revealed dangerously high arsenic levels in imported shrimp from Greenland, exceeding the allowable limit by four times, according to Vetandlife. The findings have already been reported to Rosselkhoznadzor.
The analyses were carried out in January 2026 by the All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Veterinary Medicines and Feed (FSBI “VGNKI”), operating under the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. The products were tested for compliance with the technical regulations “On Food Safety” and “On the Safety of Fish and Fish Products.”
Tests showed that arsenic levels in a sample of frozen-cooked northern prawn (Pandalus borealis) reached 20 mg/kg, which is four times higher than the maximum permissible limit. The sample was taken from a shipment weighing 18 tons. Details of the violation were forwarded to the Northwestern Interregional Office of the supervisory agency.
Experts warn that prolonged consumption of foods with elevated arsenic can lead to its accumulation in the body, increasing the risk of neurological disorders, skin damage, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, particularly of the skin, lungs, and bladder. In cases of acute exposure, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a sharp drop in blood pressure.
The cities of Dakhla (Morocco) and Dreux (France) are strengthening their cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy, and waste management following the signing of a cooperation agreement this Saturday in Dakhla.
The meeting was chaired by Erragheb Hormatallah, President of the Dakhla Communal Council, and attended by Pierre-Frédéric Billet, Mayor of Dreux, who led a French delegation made up of business leaders, investors, and representatives of the GEDIA Group, a key player in the environmental and renewable energy sectors.
PUERTO DESEADO is experiencing an exceptional summer driven by strong activity in the squid jigging sector. According to Mar y Pesca, more than 15,000 tons of squid have already been unloaded at the local port, amid the sustained arrival of vessels dedicated to harvesting the resource.
Currently, 25 squid jigging vessels are operating, with new arrivals announced almost daily, encouraged by the sustained abundance of squid, which is increasingly conc
The freezer trawler Playa da Cativa, based in Vigo, was detected by satellite on the 1st in Argentine territorial waters at a speed that the Naval Prefecture considers compatible with fishing. Antonio López Cazorla, Argentina's Undersecretary of Fisheries, confirms that they have opened an investigation for alleged illegal fishing. If the infraction is proven, and because "we are inflexible, it will be fined €850,000," although he also indicates that they expect "the vessel to quickly acknowledge its actions, and, if it cooperates, the fine could be reduced by 25%."
Owned by the Galician company Moradiña, headquartered in Cangas de Morrazo, the Playa da Cativa has its operational base in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Author: Cecilia Valdez / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
The new ship, scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, will be the first large sailing-assisted cruise ship built in Chinese shipyards and aims for fuel savings of up to 40%.
The race to decarbonize the cruise industry has opened a new front—and a new market—in Asia. The US company Atlas Ocean Voyages, linked to the Portuguese group Mystic Invest, has confirmed an order in China for an expedition ship with sail-assisted propulsion, a move that raises the technological bar for the sector and puts Chinese shipyards on the map of sailing-assisted voyages.
The agreement aims to promote the sale of seafood products in the company's more than 1,500 stores in Spain.
In 2024, the company distributed more than 9,000 tons of fish from 73 fish markets along the Spanish coast.
During the "Fishing and Aquaculture in Spain: Blue Economy from Sea to Table" event, organized by Carrefour in collaboration with REECEA (Spanish Network of Knowledge Spaces for the Blue Economy) and the Fisheries Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the company promoted a collaboration agreement with 30 suppliers and associations in the fishing and consumer sectors.
Source: Industrias Pesqueras | Read the full article here
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SPAIN.png)
The organization warns that the platform’s structural failures are suffocating both Spanish-flagged fishing companies seeking to export and mixed-capital companies with processing facilities in Spain that need to import product.
SAUDI ARABIA
With over 30 years of aquaculture experience in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, NAPCO Aqua's CEO, Nabil Kammoun, is developing RAS and biofloc projects in the Kingdom, combining farm design, operational management and a 2,000-tonne pilot farm to strengthen the sector.
NORWAY
The annual mortality rate for farmed salmon in the sea phase in Norway – the world’s biggest producer of Atlantic salmon - fell to an estimated 14.2% last year, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute said today. In comparison, the mortality rate in 2024 was 15.4% and 16.7% in 2023.
JAPAN.png)
Nissui announced the purchase of the Chilean pioneering business through its subsidiary Salmones Antártica SA shortly before Christmas.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION.png)
The analyses were carried out in January 2026 by the All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Veterinary Medicines and Feed (FSBI “VGNKI”), operating under the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. The products were tested for compliance with the technical regulations “On Food Safety” and “On the Safety of Fish and Fish Products.”
MOROCCO.png)
ARGENTINA
The freezer trawler Playa da Cativa, based in Vigo, was detected by satellite on the 1st in Argentine territorial waters at a speed that the Naval Prefecture considers compatible with fishing. Antonio López Cazorla, Argentina's Undersecretary of Fisheries, confirms that they have opened an investigation for alleged illegal fishing. If the infraction is proven, and because "we are inflexible, it will be fined €850,000," although he also indicates that they expect "the vessel to quickly acknowledge its actions, and, if it cooperates, the fine could be reduced by 25%."
CHINA
The agreement aims to promote the sale of seafood products in the company's more than 1,500 stores in Spain.
