Mackerel Prices Hit A New High
Oct 20, 2025
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The 2025 mackerel quota had already been cut by 22%, and coupled with the depletion of previous stocks, market prices surged rapidly in the autumn. Industry forecasts suggest that if the 70% quota cut in 2026 materializes, global available mackerel supplies will fall to less than one-third of their normal level. Analysts point out that while high prices may deter some price-sensitive buyers, "as long as supply decreases faster than consumption, mackerel prices will not fall."
Asian Markets Support High Prices
On the demand side, the Asian market is becoming a key driver of global mackerel prices. In particular, Japan continues to see growing retail demand for boneless mackerel fillets, salt-grilled slices, and ready-to-eat products. Analysis shows that Japanese consumers prefer the high-fat, rich Norwegian mackerel variety and are less sensitive to price increases. Meanwhile, demand is strong in the Chinese and Korean food service markets, particularly as high-quality mackerel is considered a "must-have" in the global expansion of Japanese and Korean cuisine.
European Processing Industry Faces Impact
In Europe, the quota cuts have triggered significant industry chain reactions. The European Association of Fish Processors (AIPCE) recently issued a public warning that a 70% quota reduction would be a "devastating blow" to the European mackerel processing industry. Currently, medium-sized processing plants in countries like Poland and the Netherlands are highly dependent on Norwegian raw materials, and a sharp reduction in quotas could force some to halt production or even go bankrupt.
Industry Enters High-Cost Cycle
The mackerel industry is entering a new cycle of "high costs and low quotas." For Asian importers, while rising prices are putting pressure on them, supply security has become a more critical consideration. For Europe, quota reductions will reshape processing and export structures, forcing companies to accelerate their shift to diversified raw materials.