South Korea’s imports of UK Seafood products in H1 2026. UK Seafood imports into South Korea rise in first half of 2026, led by mackerel and cooked whelk meat.
South Korea’s imports of UK-origin seafood increased during the first half of 2026. According to seafood trade statistics, South Korea imported 3,718 tons of UK seafood from January to June 2026. This represents a 19.4% increase from 3,114 tons recorded during the same period last year.
Major imported items from the UK included frozen mackerel, frozen cooked whelk meat, and frozen herring roe for caviar substitute. From January to June 2026, frozen mackerel accounted for the largest share of UK seafood imports, with 2,402 tons, representing 64.6% of the total. Frozen cooked whelk meat followed with a 29.5% share, while frozen herring roe for caviar substitute accounted for 3.0%. Other seafood items represented 2.8%.
By item, frozen mackerel imports increased by 59.1% year-on-year. Frozen herring roe for caviar substitute also rose by 32.9%. In contrast, frozen cooked whelk meat imports totalled 1,098 tons, down 24.6% from the same period last year.
Import prices increased across all major items. The average import price of UK-origin frozen mackerel stood at USD 5.39/kg in 2026, up sharply by 89.8% year-on-year.
Frozen cooked whelk meat averaged USD 14.27/kg, up 4.3% from the previous year. The average import price of frozen herring roe for caviar substitute reached USD 7.22/kg, up 80.5% year-on-year.
Overall, UK seafood imports into South Korea increased in the first half of 2026, with frozen mackerel leading the growth in volume.
At the same time, sharp price increases for frozen mackerel and herring roe for caviar substitute stood out as key features of the market.
Union Forsea Corp. analysed that UK-origin frozen mackerel and cooked whelk meat remain key items in South Korea’s imported seafood market, while rising import prices may affect domestic distribution prices in the second half of 2026.
Image: Union Forsea Corp