Data as of: Korea Customs Service data through September 2026 (SEACHING, queried October 15, 2026). Tariffs checked October 15, 2026.
Korea imported US$184.0 million of frozen surimi in Jan–Sep 2026, up 3.4% from Jan–Sep 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Vietnam (29.2%), China (26.1%), the United States (20.8%) and Russia (15.2%) led by value. Pollock surimi averaged US$2.89 per kg and other surimi US$1.60.
The number that matters: US$2.89 vs US$1.60 per kg
Korea’s average customs price, pollock surimi against other surimi, Jan–Sep 2026. In pollock surimi, US suppliers shipped more tonnes than Russia again, after Russia led in Jan–Sep 2025.
Key takeaways
- Korea imported US$184.0 million and 96,383 tonnes of frozen surimi in Jan–Sep 2026, 4.2% of its seafood imports (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
- US suppliers shipped 11,888 tonnes of pollock surimi to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 against Russia’s 11,007, reversing Russia’s lead in Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
- China’s share of Korea’s other surimi imports (HSK 0304.99.1000) rose from 34.9% in Jan–Sep 2025 to 40.9% in Jan–Sep 2026; Vietnam’s fell from 50.7% to 45.4% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
Where does Korea import surimi from?
Vietnam was the largest supplier of surimi to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 by value, and China the largest by weight. Two HSK codes carry almost all the trade: pollock surimi (0304.94.1000) and other surimi (0304.99.1000).
| Origin | Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million) | Share | Tonnes | US$/kg | Share, Jan–Sep 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 53.64 | 29.2% | 28,991 | 1.85 | 33.0% |
| China | 48.02 | 26.1% | 37,196 | 1.29 | 22.8% |
| United States | 38.22 | 20.8% | 11,888 | 3.21 | 17.6% |
| Russia | 27.98 | 15.2% | 11,007 | 2.54 | 17.3% |
| India | 12.02 | 6.5% | 5,488 | 2.19 | 5.1% |
| Pakistan | 1.64 | 0.9% | 816 | 2.01 | 1.3% |
| Thailand | 1.09 | 0.6% | 408 | 2.67 | 0.8% |
| Indonesia | 0.75 | 0.4% | 326 | 2.31 | 1.6% |
| All origins | 183.98 | 96,383 | 1.91 |
Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HSK 0304.94.1000, 0304.99.1000, 0304.93.1000 and 0304.95.1000, Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.
Surimi was 4.2% of Korea’s US$4,415.6 million seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.
Value rose 3.4% and weight fell 2.8%, lifting the average price 6.3% to US$1.91 per kg.
Why is pollock surimi a different market from other surimi?
Pollock surimi cost 1.8 times as much per kg as other surimi in Jan–Sep 2026, and only two countries, the US and Russia, supplied it.
| Pollock surimi (0304.94.1000) | Other surimi (0304.99.1000) | |
|---|---|---|
| Value, Jan–Sep 2026 | US$66.20 million (+6.7%) | US$117.43 million (+1.4%) |
| Tonnes | 22,896 (−3.2%) | 73,346 (−2.8%) |
| Average price (Jan–Sep 2025) | US$2.89/kg (US$2.62) | US$1.60/kg (US$1.54) |
| Origins and value share | US 57.7%, Russia 42.3% | Vietnam 45.4%, China 40.9%, India 10.2%, Pakistan 1.4%, Thailand 0.9%, Indonesia 0.6% |
Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026 compared with Jan–Sep 2025, queried October 15, 2026.
Other surimi prices ranged from US$1.29 per kg (China) to US$2.67 (Thailand) in Jan–Sep 2026. Korea’s customs statistics do not split 0304.99.1000 by species or grade, so a price gap can reflect either.
China gained most between Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026: its surimi tonnes rose 15.6% while Vietnam’s fell 17.9%. Indonesia fell from US$2.90 million to US$0.75 million.
Is Russian pollock surimi overtaking US surimi in Korea?
Not in 2026. US suppliers shipped 11,888 tonnes of pollock surimi to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026 and Russia 11,007, after Russia led in Jan–Sep 2025 (12,364 against 11,291).
By weight, the US held 60.3% of Korea’s pollock surimi imports in full-year 2024 (17,605 of 29,181 tonnes); in 2025 the two were level at 50.1% and 49.9%.
The price gap widened in 2026. US surimi averaged US$3.21 per kg in Jan–Sep 2026, up from US$2.77, while Russian surimi moved from US$2.49 to US$2.54. Russian product also pays a 10% duty that US product does not. The Korea pollock imports guide covers whole pollock, fillets and roe.
What duty does Korea charge on surimi from each origin?
Korea’s basic duty on frozen surimi is 10%, and as of October 2026 US, Vietnamese and ASEAN surimi pays 0% under free trade agreements (FTAs). The 2026 schedule has no agreement rate for Russia or Pakistan, so both pay the basic 10%.
| Origin | Pollock surimi 0304.94.1000 | Other surimi 0304.99.1000 | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic rate | 10% | 10% | |
| United States | 0% | 0% | Korea–US FTA |
| Vietnam | 0% | 0% | Korea–Vietnam FTA |
| Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar | 0% | 0% | Korea–ASEAN FTA |
| Indonesia | 0% | 0% | Korea–ASEAN FTA, Korea–Indonesia CEPA |
| China | 0% | 4% | Korea–China FTA |
| India | 0% | 5% | Korea–India CEPA |
| Russia, Pakistan | 10% | 10% | No agreement rate |
Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026, rates for January 1–December 31, 2026, checked October 15, 2026.
The 2026 schedule has no adjustment-tariff or quota line for either surimi code. The Korean importer claims the FTA rate before clearance, so send origin documents with the shipping papers. Confirm the rate for your shipment on UNIPASS or with a Korean customs broker, especially for India. See the guide to Korea’s seafood import duties.
Does Korea import finished fish cake too?
Yes, but far less than surimi: Korea imported US$14.15 million of fish cake and crab sticks (HSK 1604.20.40) in Jan–Sep 2026, down 10.3% from Jan–Sep 2025. Korea’s surimi imports were 13.0 times larger by value in the same period.
Thailand led Korea’s fish cake imports with 39.9% of value in Jan–Sep 2026, ahead of China (19.4%) and Japan (12.2%). The basic duty on fish cake is 20%; Thai product pays 5% and Vietnamese 0% (2026 schedule, checked October 15, 2026).
Is there room for a new surimi origin in Korea?
India’s surimi sales to Korea grew 31.4% in value to US$12.02 million in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$2.19 per kg, above Vietnam (US$1.85) and China (US$1.29). Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia together held under 2% of Korea’s surimi imports by value.
- Count the duty in the landed price. Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian surimi enters duty-free, while Chinese pays 4%, Indian 5% and Pakistani 10% (2026 schedule).
- Plan around January. Over October 2023–September 2026, January volume of other surimi averaged 177% of an average month, June 65%. The Korea seafood demand calendar shows other peaks.
Country guides: exporting Vietnamese seafood to Korea, exporting from Thailand and Indonesia, exporting Chinese seafood to Korea and US and Canadian seafood in Korea.
Check your surimi’s competition in Korea
SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s imports by 10-digit HS code, origin and month. Its “By Country” table for HS 0304991000 (“Frozen fish surimi”) ranks the origins of other surimi by value, with price per kg and volume for the latest twelve months.
- Other frozen surimi imports by origin (free sign-up)
- Vietnam’s seafood trade with Korea (free sign-up)
- Russia’s seafood trade with Korea (free sign-up)
SEACHING’s price forecast models import unit prices by origin and product using Korea Customs Service prices, exchange-rate indices and sea-surface temperature data. See the forecast for pollock surimi (free sign-up)
FAQ
Why is Chinese surimi so much cheaper per kg than US surimi in Korea’s customs data?
In Jan–Sep 2026, Chinese surimi (US$1.29 per kg) was other surimi and US surimi (US$3.21) was pollock surimi, a separate code; customs data does not record the species or grade of Chinese product (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
Sources and method
- SEACHING, other frozen surimi (HSK 0304.99.1000), Korea Customs Service import data, monthly October 2023–September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. Pollock surimi (0304.94.1000), 0304.93.1000, 0304.95.1000 and fish cake (1604.20.4010, 1604.20.4090) were queried the same way on the same day
- SEACHING, frozen pollock surimi (HSK 0304.94.1000), queried October 15, 2026
- Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026 (data.go.kr), file dated February 11, 2026, checked October 15, 2026
- National Law Information Center: FTA Customs Act, Article 8, version in force October 1, 2025, checked October 15, 2026
- Method: surimi figures cover HSK 0304.94.1000, 0304.99.1000, 0304.93.1000 and 0304.95.1000 (0304.91.1000 and 0304.92.1000 had no imports). 2024 origin figures sum origins with at least US$100,000 of imports in the 12 months to September 2026; for pollock surimi these are the only two origins, the US and Russia. Price per kg is customs value divided by net weight, not a market quote. 2026 figures are year-to-date through September and may be revised
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