IN BRIEF - Frozen Cod Imports Drop by Half Compared to Last Year
SOUTH KOREA
Monday, November 25, 2024
The volume of frozen cod imports to South Korea in 2024 has more than halved compared to the previous year.
South Korea imported 504 tons of frozen cod in October, a 41% decrease from the 848 tons imported during the same period last year. Cumulative imports from January to October totaled 5,250 tons, down 50% from 10,569 tons in the same period in 2023. Frozen cod accounted for just 0.72% of the total seafood imports of 732,192 tons.
Most frozen cod imports came from Russia, which supplied 96% of the total volume, or 5,029 tons. The remaining imports were sourced from the United States (125 tons), Canada (75 tons), and China (20 tons). By country, import prices were USD 3.06/kg for Russian cod, USD 2.73/kg for U.S. cod, USD 2.60/kg for Chinese cod, and USD 1.88/kg for Canadian cod, with Canadian cod being the cheapest.
In monetary terms, frozen cod imports in October amounted to USD 1.13 million, a 52% decrease from USD 2.35 million in the same period last year. Year-to-date import value stood at USD 15.94 million, down 59% from USD 39.14 million in 2023. The average import price per kilogram was USD 3.04, an 18% decline from USD 3.70 in the same period last year.
For reference, the domestic wholesale price of frozen cod (Russian origin, 18.5kg, size L) is trading at approximately KRW 88,000 (USD 62.82).
Per capita seafood consumption in Russia reached 28 kg per person annually in 2025, marking a 7% year-on-year increase, according to preliminary operational data provided by Rosstat. This milestone meets the dietary intake recommended by the Russian Ministry of Health.
The increase reflects strategic coordination among government bodies, commercial enterprises, and trade associations aimed at shifting consumer purchasing habits. Driven by culinary promotion, seafood has gained notable prominence in major public events, including the annual Moscow on the Wave culinary week, the Russian Fish festival held in St. Petersburg, the dedicated industry showcase at the national Russia exhibition, and the upcoming Fishing Kamchatka festival.
In parallel, authorities are advancing tripartite agreements between regional governments, research institutions, processing facilities, and retail chains to build and position locally sourced brands.
A new global fisheries project has launched across six countries, combining market incentives and governance reforms to improve seafood sustainability
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An estimated 300 tonnes of salmon have died at two Multiexport Patagonia sites following a harmful algae bloom in Chile’s southern Magallanes region, according to fisheries and aquaculture regulator Sernapesca.
Preliminary losses total approximately 200 tonnes at Taraba 7 and 100 tonnes at Taraba 8. Both sites activated mass-mortality contingency plans on October 8.Sernapesca had been monitoring elevated algae concentrations at four Multiexport sites since mid-September. The regulator identified the species involved as Leptocylindrus minimus, with concentrations exceeding reference thresholds for harmful effects.
Source: Salmonbusiness | Read the full article here
Nissui reported that a systems failure has halted the inbound and outbound movement of goods managed by its logistics subsidiary Nissui Logistics, causing operational disruption across its distribution network in Japan.
TOKYO — A cyber incident has paralyzed the operations of Nissui Logistics, the logistics subsidiary of Japanese seafood and food giant Nissui, blocking the inbound and outbound movement of goods and triggering significant operational disruption across its distribution chain in Japan.
According to an official statement released on October 7, the disruption was linked to unauthorized third-party access to an external provider's data center used by the company. Nissui is also investigating whether any personal information or customer data was compromised or leaked during the breach.
The company stated that it is actively working to restore the affected systems, though it has not yet provided an estimated timeline for full recovery. It also did not disclose specific details regarding which warehouses, products, or volumes of goods have been affected by the shutdown.
The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of cold chains and food logistics infrastructure to digital disruptions, as companies increasingly rely on interconnected third-party networks to manage physical distribution.
The European Commission aims to reduce administrative burdens and boost competitiveness.
Until 31 October 2026, fishers, aquaculture producers, processors and traders can complete an anonymous 15-minute survey on licensing, inspections, traceability and reporting obligations to identify unnecessary or duplicate requirements across the seafood sector.
The Spanish-Portuguese longline fleet operates across three oceans.
At Conxemar, ORPAGU highlighted its swordfish and blue shark fisheries in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, its sustainable swordfish management project with Opromar, and the near doubling of capacity at its Tui cold-storage facility.
A fleet spanning three oceans and a team at the top of the rankings.
The marine engineering company is exploring broccoli processing operations in Mexico
Kinarca is celebrating forty years of charting a course alongside the fishing industry on its global journey. Founded in 1986 by Ramón Quintana, Narciso Argones, and José Rodríguez Castro, the Vigo-based company began as a small workshop specializing in refrigeration systems for the O Berbés fishing fleet; it has since established itself as a benchmark provider of thermal and metal-based solutions for fleets across the globe.
Author: Alejandra Pascual / La Voz de Galicia | Read the full article here
Marks & Spencer has teamed up with the Bantry-based Keohane Seafoods to launch a new Irish smoked salmon product.
Keohane’s Organic Irish Oak Smoked Salmon will be available in M&S stores across Ireland.
M&S said it had been developed exclusively for the retailer over three years, adding: “The premium ready-to-eat product represents a new collaboration between M&S and Keohane Seafoods, bringing together M&S’s commitment to quality with the expertise of Ireland’s largest seafood processor.”
Produced on Ireland’s south-west coast, the M&S Organic Irish Oak Smoked Salmon is carefully cured before being gently smoked over natural oak chips, creating what M&S describes as “a delicate texture and subtle smoky flavour”.
Author: Vince McDonagh / Fish Farmer | Read the full article here
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A safe and skilled workforce;
Smoother and expanding seafood trade;
A resilient supply chain.
Our onshore training work contributes to our safe and skilled workforce outcome. Training is vital to the success of seafood businesses. It ensures that employees are skilled, competent and safe at work.
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