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Tag: Russia

  • Russian King Crab and Snow Crab in Korea: Import Volumes and Prices

    Russian King Crab and Snow Crab in Korea: Import Volumes and Prices

    Data as of: Korea Customs Service data through September 2026 (SEACHING, queried October 15, 2026). Tariffs and quarantine rules checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s king crab and snow crab import price is a customs price, not retail. Russian live snow crab averaged US$21.19 per kg in Jan–Sep 2026, and Russia supplied 97.1% of Korea’s US$129.6 million of live snow crab imports, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Korea’s tariff schedule has no separate code for live king crab.

    The number that matters: 97.1%
    Russia’s share of Korea’s live snow crab imports by value, Jan–Sep 2026. Average customs price: US$21.19 per kg.

    Key takeaways

    • Russia supplied 97.1% of Korea’s live snow crab imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026, at an average customs price of US$21.19 per kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s frozen king crab imports rose 214.2% to US$40.8 million in Jan–Sep 2026, while the average price fell 5.7% to US$22.58 per kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • As of October 2026, crab from Norway, Canada and the United States enters Korea at 0% under free trade agreements, while Russian live and frozen king crab pay 20% (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    How much king crab and snow crab does Korea import?

    Korea imported US$374.3 million of crab under its four main crab codes in Jan–Sep 2026, up 12.2%, and 88.5% of it came from Russia.

    HSKProductJan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Change vs Jan–Sep 2025TonnesUS$/kgRussia’s share
    0306.33.2000Snow crab, live, fresh or chilled129.65+5.4%6,22620.8297.1%
    0306.33.9000Other crab, live, fresh or chilled98.41+9.2%4,63921.2181.9%
    0306.14.9090Other crab, frozen105.43−2.0%12,2598.6079.8%
    0306.14.2000King crab, frozen40.76+214.2%1,80522.58100.0%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    These four codes make up 93.8% of Korea’s US$399.0 million crab imports in Jan–Sep 2026 (9.0% of Korea’s seafood imports). Russia supplied 83.0% of that wider crab group, which includes swimming crab and prepared crab. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Frozen king crab jumped to 1,805 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, against 542 tonnes a year earlier and 900 tonnes in all of 2025. March 2026 alone brought 496 tonnes.

    Which HS codes cover king crab and snow crab in Korea?

    Korea’s tariff schedule (HSK) has codes for live snow crab (0306.33.2000) and frozen king crab (0306.14.2000), but none for live king crab. Live crab without its own code goes under “other crab, live, fresh or chilled” (0306.33.9000).

    In Jan–Sep 2026, Russian crab in this code averaged US$43.20 per kg over 1,865 tonnes, about double Russian snow crab. The unit price suggests that much of it is live king crab; customs data does not name the species. Chinese crab in the same code averaged US$2.53 per kg, so the code average (US$21.21) describes neither.

    The Norwegian Seafood Council estimates Korea’s 2025 king crab consumption at 2,100 tonnes, 98% of it Russian (an industry estimate, not customs data).

    What are Korea’s crab import prices per kg, month by month?

    Snow crab is cheapest around its summer volume peak. Korea’s live snow crab imports peaked each July (980, 1,028 and 1,009 tonnes in 2024, 2025 and 2026). Monthly prices were about US$14 per kg in May–July 2025, against US$30.92 in January 2025.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly import price per kg for live snow crab, frozen king crab and Russian "other crab, live", January 2024 to September 2026; snow crab falls to about US$14 in early summer and rises above US$26 in winter, while Russian "other crab, live" stays between about US$30 and US$53

    In Jan–Sep 2026, the monthly price ranged from US$14.29 in June to US$27.14 in September.

    Russian “other crab, live” arrives later: its volume peaked from October to December in both 2024 and 2025. It cost US$39.10 to US$52.82 per kg a month in Jan–Sep 2026. Frozen king crab moved between US$19.05 and US$29.22.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly import volume in tonnes for live snow crab, Russian "other crab, live" and frozen king crab, January 2024 to September 2026; snow crab peaks each July at 980, 1,028 and 1,009 tonnes, Russian "other crab, live" rises from October to December, and frozen king crab reaches about 500 tonnes in March 2026

    How does the customs price compare with retail crab prices?

    The customs price is declared CIF value divided by net weight. After customs, the importer still pays duty, inland transport, live holding and losses before any margin. Compare your offer with the customs price, not with retail prices; the guide to benchmarking against Korean customs prices shows how.

    Is there room for crab from origins other than Russia?

    Some. Japan’s live snow crab sales to Korea rose from US$0.85 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$3.43 million in Jan–Sep 2026, at US$12.56 per kg, and its “other crab, live” reached US$11.61 million.

    In Jan–Sep 2026, Norway sold Korea US$1.57 million of crab in the four codes, Canada US$1.24 million and the US US$0.45 million. Korea imported no Norwegian frozen king crab in 2025 or Jan–Sep 2026.

    Tariffs favor these origins as of October 2026:

    HSKProductRussiaJapanNorway (EFTA)CanadaUnited States
    0306.33.2000Snow crab, live, fresh or chilled20%20%0%0%0%
    0306.33.9000Other crab, live, fresh or chilled20%20%0%0%0%
    0306.14.2000King crab, frozen20%20%0%0%0%
    0306.14.9090Other crab, frozen14%14%0%0%0%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026, rates for January 1–December 31, 2026, checked October 15, 2026. Russia has no FTA with Korea; the file lists no RCEP rate for Japan on these lines, so the basic rate (20%) or WTO bound rate (14%) applies.

    The Korean importer claims the FTA rate before clearance and must hold the origin documents, so send them with the shipping papers. Confirm the final rate on UNIPASS or with a Korean customs broker. The guide to Korea’s seafood import duty covers the rules.

    As of October 2026, live crustaceans for food are designated quarantine items of the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS). Check with NFQS or your importer before the first live shipment.

    Related: US and Canadian seafood in Korea, Korea’s lobster imports, the Korea seafood demand calendar and the Q3 2026 imports report.

    Check your crab price against Korean customs prices

    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 live snow crab lists value, price per kg and volume by origin for the latest twelve months.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's live snow crab imports (HS 0306332000), October 2025 to September 2026: value, unit price, volume and trend for Russia, Japan and Norway

    Upload an invoice-style offer with line amounts to see where your crab price sits against Korean customs import prices for the same product, by percentile and by origin. Try SEACHING Quote Check (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    When is snow crab season for Korean imports?

    Korea’s live snow crab imports peaked in July in 2024, 2025 and 2026, at about 1,000 tonnes. Customs prices were lowest in May–July 2025 (about US$14 per kg) and June 2026 (US$14.29), and highest in winter (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Does Korea charge import duty on Russian king crab?

    Yes. As of October 2026, Russian live crab and frozen king crab pay Korea’s basic 20% rate, as Russia has no free trade agreement with Korea (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    Sources and method

  • Korea Pollock Imports: Russian Frozen Pollock and Alaska Roe

    Korea Pollock Imports: Russian Frozen Pollock and Alaska Roe

    Data as of: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. Tariff rates from the Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule and fishing rules from Korea’s National Law Information Center, checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s pollock imports reached US$266.7 million in Jan–Sep 2026, up 2.5% on a year earlier, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Alaska pollock is the species, and Russia supplies most of it: 93.9% of Korea’s frozen whole pollock and 92.0% of its pollock roe. The US led pollock surimi with 57.7%.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported US$266.7 million and 124,790 tonnes of Alaska pollock products in Jan–Sep 2026: value up 2.5% and volume down 14.2% on Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Russia supplied 80.0% of Korea’s pollock imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026 and the US 18.4%, up from 15.9% a year earlier (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s frozen whole pollock imports fell 22.5% by volume to 73,204 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, while the average customs value rose from US$1.08/kg to US$1.28/kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • US pollock surimi took 57.7% of Korea’s pollock surimi imports in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 50.4% in Jan–Sep 2025, at US$3.21/kg against US$2.54/kg for Russian surimi (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In 2026, frozen whole pollock pays a 22% adjustment tariff in Korea from Russia and 0% from the US and Canada; pollock surimi, fillets and roe pay 10% from Russia (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    Pollock in Korea at a glance

    ItemJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$266.7 million, 124,790 tonnes; 6.0% of Korea’s seafood imports by value
    Top originsRussia 80.0%, US 18.4%, Japan 1.4% (all pollock codes)
    Price band (customs value)US$1.28/kg frozen whole, US$2.89/kg surimi, US$3.16/kg fillets, US$4.36/kg roe
    Main HS codes0303.67.0000 frozen pollock; 0304.94.1000 frozen pollock surimi; 0303.91.2010 frozen pollock roe; 0304.75.0000 frozen pollock fillets
    Tariff (2026)Frozen whole: 10% base, 22% adjustment tariff, 0% US and Canada. Surimi, roe, fillets: 10% base, 0% US and Canada, 5% Japan for surimi and roe

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule.

    Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded. On that basis, pollock was Korea’s sixth-largest imported species group in Jan–Sep 2026, as the ranking of what seafood Korea imports most shows.

    How much pollock does Korea import, and in what form?

    Korea buys pollock in four main forms, and each has its own HS code, origin mix and price. Frozen whole pollock is the largest by value at 35.2% of the total, followed by surimi at 24.8%, roe at 21.5% and fillets at 17.6%. Fresh pollock is less than 1%.

    HSK codeFormUS$ millionTonnesUS$/kgValue vs Jan–Sep 2025Top origin
    0303.67.0000Frozen whole pollock93.973,2041.28−7.6%Russia 93.9%
    0304.94.1000Frozen pollock surimi66.222,8962.89+6.7%US 57.7%
    0303.91.2010Frozen pollock roe (myeongnan)57.213,1314.36−3.3%Russia 92.0%
    0304.75.0000Frozen pollock fillets46.914,8383.16+35.1%Russia 95.0%
    0302.55.0000Fresh or chilled pollock2.36433.56+9.2%Japan 99.9%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026 and Jan–Sep 2025, queried October 15, 2026.

    The price gap between forms is wide. Frozen roe cleared customs at 3.4 times the price per kg of frozen whole fish. A seller who offers several forms is in four different markets, not one. The guide to how Korean buyers specify species, state and form explains how buyers describe each product when they ask for an offer.

    The longer view shows how the mix has shifted. Frozen whole pollock has shrunk each year. Surimi grew in 2025 and again in Jan–Sep 2026, and fillets jumped in 2026 after a weaker 2025.

    Form20242025Jan–Sep 2026
    Frozen whole, US$ million (tonnes)139.0 (138,932)131.6 (119,479)93.9 (73,204)
    Surimi, US$ million (tonnes)69.1 (29,181)88.1 (33,165)66.2 (22,896)
    Roe, US$ million (tonnes)87.2 (17,191)74.4 (16,423)57.2 (13,131)
    Fillets, US$ million (tonnes)50.5 (21,391)44.9 (17,264)46.9 (14,838)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports. 2024 sums origins with at least US$100,000 of imports in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Why does Russia supply almost all of Korea’s frozen whole pollock?

    Russia shipped 69,859 tonnes of frozen whole pollock to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026, worth US$88.1 million and 93.9% of the value. The US supplied 4.4% and Japan 1.5%. Russian fish is also much cheaper than US fish: it averaged US$1.26/kg at customs, against US$2.00/kg for US pollock. Japan’s small volume averaged US$1.22/kg.

    Korea cannot supply this fish itself: as of October 2026, Korean law bans catching pollock in Korean waters all year (see the FAQ). Frozen pollock, sold in Korea as dongtae, comes from imports.

    Russia’s lead holds even though it has no free trade agreement with Korea. Russian pollock stays cheaper after duty: US$1.26/kg plus the 22% duty described below comes to about US$1.54/kg, against US$2.00/kg for duty-free US pollock, before freight inside Korea and other costs. Three changes in 2026 matter for sellers:

    • Less volume. Korea’s frozen whole pollock imports fell 22.5% by volume in Jan–Sep 2026. Russian volume fell 24.0%.
    • A weak third quarter. In Jul–Sep 2026, Korea imported 14,832 tonnes, down 58.5% from 35,757 tonnes in Jul–Sep 2025. June and July 2026 were the lowest months: 1,088 and 770 tonnes, against 2,743 and 7,936 tonnes a year earlier.
    • More from Japan. Japan shipped 1,184 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 47 tonnes a year earlier.

    Two other facts sit alongside the third-quarter drop. Korea’s government released 15,700 tonnes of stockpiled pollock between August 24 and September 27, 2026, ahead of the Chuseok holiday. And in the three years to September 2026, Korea’s frozen pollock arrivals were seasonal: the March volume index averaged 176 and the June index 17, where 100 is an average month. The data do not show which of these caused the 2026 drop. The seasonal demand calendar for Korea’s seafood imports covers the timing of holiday orders.

    Other Russian lines are covered in the report on Russian king crab and snow crab and the guide to Korea’s cod imports. The Q3 2026 report on Korea’s seafood imports puts the pollock drop next to other species.

    What is Korea’s 22% adjustment tariff on frozen pollock?

    Adjustment tariff (jojeong gwanse). A tariff Korea sets above the base rate to protect domestic industry, under Article 69 of the Customs Act. A presidential decree sets the products, rates and dates each year. For import declarations from January 1 to December 31, 2026, frozen pollock pays 22%.

    The adjustment tariff replaces the 10% base rate. An FTA rate applies only when it is lower than the Customs Act rate. So the rate depends on origin and form:

    Form (HSK)RussiaUS and CanadaJapanBase rate
    Frozen whole (0303.67.0000)22%0%22% (no RCEP rate listed)10%, adjustment 22%
    Fillets (0304.75.0000)10%0%10% (no RCEP rate listed)10%
    Surimi (0304.94.1000)10%0%5% (RCEP)10%
    Roe (0303.91.2010)10%0%5% (RCEP)10%
    Fresh or chilled (0302.55.0000)20%0%20% (no RCEP rate listed)20%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff schedule by HSK code, 2026 rates (January 1 to December 31, 2026), checked October 15, 2026. Russia has no FTA rate line, so it pays the base, WTO or adjustment rate.

    For US sellers, 2026 brought one change. Until 2025, US frozen pollock entered duty-free only within a quota of 12,263 tonnes. From 2026, it enters at 0% with no quota under the Korea–US FTA (KORUS). US volume did not jump in response: US frozen whole pollock fell 11.8% to 2,081 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026. Most US pollock reaches Korea as surimi, not as whole fish.

    The importer must claim an FTA rate before customs accepts the declaration and must hold proof of origin. These rates are from the 2026 schedule as of October 2026. Adjustment tariffs are reset each year, so check the 2027 list when it is published. Confirm the rate for your code with a licensed Korean customs broker or on Korea Customs Service UNIPASS. The guide to Korea’s seafood import duty explains each rate type.

    Who supplies Korea’s pollock surimi, fillets and roe?

    Each processed form has a different leader. The US leads surimi, while Russia leads fillets and roe.

    FormOriginShare 2026 (2025)US$/kg 2026 (2025)Tonnes 2026
    SurimiUnited States57.7% (50.4%)3.21 (2.77)11,888
    SurimiRussia42.3% (49.6%)2.54 (2.49)11,007
    FilletsRussia95.0% (93.6%)3.14 (2.55)14,187
    FilletsUnited States4.5% (5.0%)3.68 (3.08)576
    RoeRussia92.0% (92.9%)4.43 (4.67)11,886
    RoeUnited States8.0% (7.1%)3.69 (4.09)1,245

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026 (Jan–Sep 2025 in brackets), share of value.

    Stacked bar chart titled Russia leads every pollock form in Korea except surimi: Korea's pollock imports by form and origin, share of value, Jan–Sep 2026. Russia 93.9% of frozen whole pollock (US$93.9M), 92.0% of roe (US$57.2M) and 95.0% of fillets (US$46.9M); the US 57.7% of surimi (US$66.2M) and Russia 42.3%

    Surimi is a two-country market. US surimi held 65.5% of Korea’s pollock surimi imports in 2024 and 53.5% in 2025, then rose to 57.7% in Jan–Sep 2026. US surimi cleared customs at US$0.67/kg above Russian surimi in Jan–Sep 2026. Russian surimi pays 10% duty and US surimi 0%, which narrows that gap after duty. Korea’s fish cake industry also buys surimi made from other fish, led by Vietnam and China. The guide to Korea’s surimi imports covers that wider market.

    Fillets grew fastest. Korea’s frozen pollock fillet imports rose 35.1% by value and 9.8% by volume in Jan–Sep 2026. Russia supplied 95.0%, and its average price rose from US$2.55/kg to US$3.14/kg.

    Roe is Russian, and the US is cheaper. Russia supplied 92.0% of Korea’s frozen pollock roe in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$4.43/kg. US roe averaged US$3.69/kg and grew 22.0% in volume, to 1,245 tonnes. Customs data do not record roe grade or size, so the averages show the direction of the market, not the price for a given grade. Korea’s roe volume fell from 17,191 tonnes in 2024 to 16,423 tonnes in 2025, then rose to 13,131 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026 from 12,803 tonnes a year earlier.

    The title of this article mentions Alaska roe because “Alaska pollock” is the species name for both Russian and US fish; Korea’s customs data separate them only by declared origin. Most of that roe comes from Russia, not Alaska. The guide for US and Canadian exporters looks at where US pollock products actually sell in Korea.

    How have pollock import prices moved in 2026?

    Prices rose for every form except roe. In Jan–Sep 2026, the average customs value was up 19.2% for frozen whole pollock, 10.2% for surimi and 23.1% for fillets, and down 5.7% for roe, compared with Jan–Sep 2025.

    Line chart titled Whole frozen pollock is by far Korea's cheapest pollock form: Korea's monthly pollock import price by form, customs value per kg, all origins, October 2024 to September 2026. Frozen whole pollock stayed lowest, peaking at US$2.08/kg in June 2026 and ending at US$1.49; in September 2026 surimi was US$3.19, fillets US$3.59 and roe US$4.36

    Frozen whole pollock shows the sharpest move. Its monthly customs value stayed between US$1.01 and US$1.24/kg in most months from October 2024 to April 2026; the exception was June 2025 at US$1.55/kg. It rose to US$1.36/kg in May 2026, jumped to US$2.08/kg in June 2026, a month of very low volume, and eased to US$1.49/kg in September 2026. Korean media reported the same trend: Herald Business reported a June 2026 price for imported frozen pollock of ₩3,674 per kg, up 51.6% on a year earlier.

    Fillets and surimi rose more steadily. Fillets reached US$3.59/kg in September 2026, the highest month in the two-year series, and surimi peaked at US$3.39/kg in August 2026. Customs values are CIF values, not wholesale prices. Compare them with your CIF offer, as the guide to benchmarking against Korean customs import prices explains.

    What else applies to pollock shipments to Korea?

    Three rules reach pollock sellers in 2026. Most of the paperwork sits with the Korean importer.

    • Imported seafood distribution history. From June 29, 2026, Korea added frozen pollock to the products covered by imported seafood distribution history reporting. The Korean importer and each distributor report every transfer within 5 days. The exporter files nothing.
    • Restaurant origin labeling. Pollock is one of 20 seafood species that Korean restaurants must label by country of origin.
    • Plant registration and certificates. Russia is one of 11 countries that register processing plants with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) through their own government, not online. Seafood from these countries also needs the exporting government’s health certificate.

    Rules are as of October 2026. Confirm the final requirements with your Korean importer, a licensed customs broker or the agency concerned before you ship. The step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea covers each stage.

    How to check this yourself in SEACHING

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code, origin and month. Open the frozen pollock code and choose Russia to see the page below.

    SEACHING page titled Alaska Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), Russia (HS 0303670000/RU), with summary cards and a Unit Price Trend and Forecast chart: Korea's monthly import unit price from Russia, March to September 2026, and a dashed AI forecast line to February 2027

    The chart shows the monthly unit price of Korea’s frozen pollock imports from Russia, and the dashed line is the model forecast for the next five months. The prices are for Russia only and the summary cards cover a different period, so they differ from the all-origin figures above. Each form has its own code page:

    Related guides:

    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 frozen pollock (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Why does Korea not catch its own pollock?

    Korea bans catching pollock in its own waters all year, from January 1 to December 31, under Annex 1 of the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Resources Management Act, as of October 2026. Korean media reported that the ban was introduced in 2019. Korea’s frozen pollock therefore comes from imports, 93.9% of it from Russia by value in Jan–Sep 2026.

    What HS code does Korea use for pollock roe?

    Korea classifies frozen pollock roe (myeongnan) under HSK 0303.91.2010. Korea imported US$57.2 million and 13,131 tonnes under this code in Jan–Sep 2026 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). Salted pollock roe has a separate code, 0305.20.4010, with almost no imports in Jan–Sep 2026.

    Do US pollock products still face a quota in Korea in 2026?

    No. The KORUS quota for US frozen pollock, 12,263 tonnes in 2025, ended, and US frozen pollock enters Korea at 0% with no quota limit from 2026. US surimi, fillets and roe also pay 0% in the 2026 tariff schedule.

    Sources and method

  • South Korea Seafood Imports by Country: Where Korea Buys Its Fish

    South Korea Seafood Imports by Country: Where Korea Buys Its Fish

    Data as of: Korean import data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026; FTA list checked October 15, 2026.

    South Korea’s fish and seafood imports by country are led by China, with 23.2% of import value in Jan–Sep 2026, followed by Russia (16.9%), Vietnam (14.3%) and Norway (10.4%), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Together the four supplied 64.8% of Korea’s US$4,415.6 million in seafood imports.

    The number that matters: 64.8%
    The top four’s share of Korea’s seafood imports in Jan–Sep 2026, up from 63.1% a year earlier. Each leads different products; the main overlap is China and Vietnam, which split Korea’s frozen peeled shrimp and frozen fish surimi roughly evenly.

    Key takeaways

    • China was Korea’s largest seafood supplier in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$1,024.2 million, 1.4% less than a year earlier (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Russia’s seafood sales to Korea rose 8.8% in value in Jan–Sep 2026, to US$747.5 million, the fastest growth among Korea’s top four suppliers (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Of 83 Korean import lines (10-digit HS codes) worth US$10 million or more in Jan–Sep 2026, China was the largest origin for 23, Russia for 14, Vietnam for 10, Japan for 5 and Norway for 4 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Türkiye climbed from 22nd place among Korea’s seafood origins in 2024 to 12th in Jan–Sep 2026, on frozen bluefin tuna fillets worth US$56.8 million (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    Which countries does South Korea import the most seafood from?

    China, Russia, Vietnam and Norway, in that order; Peru, in fifth, supplied less than half of Norway’s share. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    RankOriginValue, Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)ShareVolume (tonnes)Value vs Jan–Sep 2025Volume vs Jan–Sep 2025
    1China1,024.223.2%293,024-1.4%+5.7%
    2Russia747.516.9%184,267+8.8%-11.8%
    3Vietnam631.814.3%115,332+4.8%-4.7%
    4Norway458.410.4%47,496+5.0%-25.8%
    5Peru181.44.1%48,596-8.8%+41.7%
    6Japan161.63.7%23,375+13.2%-39.9%
    7United States137.33.1%38,763+7.3%+0.8%
    8Chile115.12.6%28,943-12.7%+13.7%
    9Thailand96.32.2%13,064-7.5%-6.6%
    10Canada79.71.8%7,194+17.0%+82.1%
    11Taiwan72.91.7%17,690-0.8%-3.4%
    12Türkiye66.41.5%3,134+18.7%+9.1%
    13Argentina49.91.1%7,640-9.0%-17.2%
    14United Kingdom45.41.0%5,001+1.6%+4.6%
    15Indonesia38.80.9%7,797-12.1%-23.7%
    All origins4,415.6100%959,847+0.7%-4.6%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605, Jan–Sep 2026 vs Jan–Sep 2025.

    The top 15 supplied 88.5%. Korea paid 0.7% more for 4.6% less seafood than a year earlier. At least 84 origins shipped US$100,000 or more of seafood to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026.

    Korea's top 15 seafood origins by import value, Jan–Sep 2026 against Jan–Sep 2025, led by China at US$1,024 million and Russia at US$748 million

    How has the ranking changed since 2024?

    The top four held the same places in full-year 2024, full-year 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026.

    Origin2024 rank2025 rankJan–Sep 2026 rank
    Peru755
    Japan566
    United States677
    Chile1088
    Canada91110
    Türkiye221412
    United Kingdom181614
    Hong Kong121229

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports by value, HS 03 and 1603–1605. Full years compared with a nine-month total, so only ranks are compared.

    Two moves come from a single product. Türkiye’s frozen bluefin tuna fillets made up 85.6% of its sales to Korea in Jan–Sep 2026. Hong Kong fell because its glass eels for aquaculture (HS 0301.92.1000) dropped from US$87.2 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$12.8 million. Peru has held fifth place since 2025. This year its prepared squid fell 38.6% in value, while its frozen squid volume rose 74.2%. The 2025 full-year review has more.

    What does each country sell to Korea?

    Most large suppliers lead different products. The table lists each main origin’s three biggest 10-digit HS codes and its share of Korea’s imports of that code.

    OriginLargest product (US$ million, origin’s share of Korea’s imports of the code)SecondThird
    ChinaFrozen peeled shrimp, 0306.17.1090 (127.7, 40.7%)Frozen squid, 0307.43.2090 (82.5, 35.1%)Live, fresh or chilled octopus (nakji), 0307.51.1000 (78.7, 99.4%)
    RussiaLive, fresh or chilled snow crab, 0306.33.2000 (125.8, 97.1%)Frozen Alaska pollock, 0303.67.0000 (88.1, 93.9%)Other frozen crab, 0306.14.9090 (84.1, 79.8%)
    VietnamFrozen peeled shrimp, 0306.17.1090 (133.1, 42.4%)Frozen webfoot octopus (jukkumi), 0307.52.3000 (119.5, 82.4%)Breaded shrimp, 1605.21.1000 (62.5, 82.2%)
    NorwayFresh or chilled Atlantic salmon, 0302.14.0000 (199.7, 96.5%)Fresh or chilled salmon fillets, 0304.41.0000 (124.5, 97.0%)Frozen mackerel, 0303.54.0000 (84.5, 78.6%)
    PeruFrozen squid, 0307.43.2090 (58.1, 24.7%)Prepared squid, 1605.54.2099 (56.4, 72.7%)Frozen whiteleg shrimp, 0306.17.9091 (39.7, 59.4%)
    JapanLive yellowtail, 0301.99.2000 (33.4, 100%)Live red sea bream, 0301.99.4091 (33.2, 98.6%)Live, fresh or chilled scallops, 0307.21.9000 (18.4, 91.4%)
    United StatesFrozen pollock surimi, 0304.94.1000 (38.2, 57.7%)Frozen flatfish, 0303.39.1000 (11.9, 27.8%)Frozen flatfish fillets, 0304.83.1000 (8.1, 66.2%)
    ChileFrozen Pacific salmon, 0303.12.0000 (54.1, 90.9%)Frozen squid, 0307.43.2090 (33.0, 14.0%)Frozen salmon fillets, 0304.81.0000 (9.3, 65.4%)
    ThailandFrozen webfoot octopus, 0307.52.3000 (19.1, 13.2%)Other prepared shrimp, 1605.21.9000 (17.3, 27.3%)Breaded shrimp, 1605.21.1000 (13.1, 17.2%)
    CanadaFrozen lobster, 0306.12.9000 (31.9, 99.6%)Live or fresh lobster, 0306.32.0000 (20.9, 99.8%)Frozen rockfish, 0303.89.9050 (7.3, 24.1%)
    TürkiyeFrozen bluefin tuna fillets, 0304.87.1000 (56.8, 39.3%)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026.

    Norway, Russia and Canada each supply more than 95% of Korea’s imports of their largest product. Frozen squid is split: China holds 35.1% of Korea’s imports, Peru 24.7% and Chile 14.0%. See also Korea’s top imported seafood species.

    Why did Russia lose first place, and is it recovering?

    Russia was Korea’s largest seafood supplier in 2022, and its sales fell 17.6% in 2024, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Jan–Sep 2026 its sales rose 8.8% in value, though volume fell 11.8%. Frozen pollock volume fell 24.0%, and frozen sardines almost stopped, from 16,805 tonnes to 991 tonnes. Snow crab value rose 3.3%.

    Russia has no free trade agreement with Korea: it is not on the Korea Customs Service list of FTAs in force (May 2026 list, checked October 15, 2026). In 2026, Russian frozen pollock pays a 22% adjustment tariff and live, fresh or chilled snow crab pays 20%, as of October 2026. The USDA’s 2025 Korea seafood report also notes: “Industry sources report that some of the Russian fishery species were sold to China for further processing and finally exported to the ROK from China.” No public figure shows how much trade this covers. More in Korea’s pollock imports and Russian crab in Korea.

    What does China sell to Korea?

    China sold Korea US$1,024.2 million of seafood in Jan–Sep 2026, 1.4% less than a year earlier, while volume rose 5.7%. Its three largest products are in the table above. The guide to exporting Chinese seafood to Korea covers China in detail.

    Why do other sources rank some countries differently?

    Scope changes the ranking. Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) country tables also count sea salt and fishmeal. In the MOF file for Jan–Jul 2026, salt lifts India and fishmeal lifts Chile. USDA reports use Korea International Trade Association data with another scope. The guide to South Korea’s seafood market size compares these sources.

    Where does your country rank, and who are you competing with?

    Find your country in the first table and its products in the second. Shrimp sellers compete with China and Vietnam, and squid sellers with China, Peru and Chile. Origin guides: Vietnam, Norway, Chile, Peru and Ecuador, India shrimp, Thailand and Indonesia and the US and Canada. The Q3 2026 import report has the latest quarter.

    On SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, each product page has a “By Country” table. The page below, for HS 1605.21.1000 (shrimp covered with bread crumbs or batter), lists value, unit price and volume by origin for October 2025 to September 2026.

    SEACHING By Country table for HS 1605211000, shrimp covered with bread crumbs or batter, showing Korea's import value, unit price and volume from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and China, October 2025 to September 2026

    See your country’s numbers

    Country pages on SEACHING: China–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up), Russia–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up), Vietnam–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up) and Norway–Korea seafood trade (free sign-up).

    See how your country ranks among Korea’s seafood suppliers, product by product and month by month. Open your product’s Korea import page on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    How many countries export seafood to South Korea?

    At least 84 origins shipped US$100,000 or more of seafood (HS 03 and 1603–1605) to Korea in the 12 months to September 2026, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.

    Does South Korea have a free trade agreement with Russia?

    No. Russia is not on the Korea Customs Service list of FTAs in force (May 2026 list, checked October 15, 2026), so Russian seafood pays non-preferential rates, for example 22% on frozen pollock in 2026 (as of October 2026). Confirm the rate for your product with a Korean customs broker.

    Does South Korea import seafood from Japan?

    Yes. Japan was Korea’s sixth-largest seafood origin in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$161.6 million, led by live yellowtail and live red sea bream. Korea has banned all seafood from eight Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, since September 9, 2013, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) (checked October 15, 2026).

    Sources and method

  • South Korea Seafood Imports: Q3 2026 Report

    South Korea Seafood Imports: Q3 2026 Report

    Data as of: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. 2026 figures can still be revised.

    South Korea’s seafood imports totaled US$1,467.6 million in the third quarter of 2026 (July–September), down 2.4% from Q3 2025, while weight fell 15.2% to 300,529 tonnes, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. China supplied 23.0% of the value, and shrimp was the largest species group at US$205.5 million.

    The number that matters: −31.5%
    The fall in Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports in Q3 2026, to US$158.3 million. That US$72.7 million loss is twice the total decline. Without squid, Korea’s seafood imports rose 2.9%.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea’s seafood imports were US$4,415.6 million in Jan–Sep 2026, up 0.7% on Jan–Sep 2025, while weight fell 4.6% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • China (23.0%), Russia (17.4%), Vietnam (15.3%) and Norway (10.5%) supplied 66.3% of Korea’s seafood import value in Q3 2026, in the same order as in Q3 2025, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data.
    • In Q3 2026, Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports fell 31.5% to US$158.3 million, while salmon rose 12.7% to US$122.5 million (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Korea’s average seafood import price rose 15.1% to US$4.88/kg in Q3 2026, but prices at HS-code level rose 3.1%; the rest is product mix (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).

    How much seafood did South Korea import in Q3 2026?

    Korea imported US$1,467.6 million of seafood in Q3 2026, 2.4% less than a year earlier. Weight fell faster, so the average value per kilo rose 15.1%.

    Here, Korea’s seafood imports means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed, salt and fishmeal are excluded.

    Korea’s seafood importsQ3 2025Q3 2026Change
    Value (US$ million)1,503.41,467.6−2.4%
    Weight (tonnes)354,366300,529−15.2%
    Average unit price (US$/kg)4.244.88+15.1%
    Jan–Sep value (US$ million)4,383.04,415.6+0.7%
    Jan–Sep weight (tonnes)1,005,656959,847−4.6%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605, Q3 and Jan–Sep of 2025 and 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    July was the weak month, August was up, and September was slightly down. Weight fell in all three months.

    Month2025 (US$ million)2026 (US$ million)Value changeWeight change
    July503.4452.1−10.2%−26.4%
    August442.4472.0+6.7%−4.4%
    September557.6543.5−2.5%−12.8%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, HS 03 and 1603–1605, July–September 2025 and 2026.

    Which countries supplied Korea’s seafood imports in Q3 2026?

    China was Korea’s largest seafood supplier in Q3 2026 with 23.0% of import value, followed by Russia, Vietnam and Norway. Together the top four supplied 66.3%, and the top 10 supplied 83.1%.

    RankOriginQ3 2025 (US$ million)Q3 2026 (US$ million)Share, Q3 2026ChangeRank, Q3 2025
    1China334.5337.923.0%+1.0%1
    2Russia251.9256.117.4%+1.6%2
    3Vietnam225.8224.215.3%−0.7%3
    4Norway140.8154.210.5%+9.5%4
    5Peru82.558.34.0%−29.3%5
    6Japan44.045.83.1%+4.0%7
    7United States49.345.63.1%−7.5%6
    8Canada39.139.22.7%+0.4%8
    9Thailand34.929.72.0%−14.8%9
    10Chile24.528.41.9%+16.0%12
    All other origins276.2248.216.9%−10.1%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports by origin, HS 03 and 1603–1605, Q3 2025 and Q3 2026. Shares are of total Q3 2026 import value.

    Grouped bar chart of Korea's seafood import value by origin, Q3 2025 vs Q3 2026, for the top 10 origins, led by China at US$337.9 million in Q3 2026

    Russia’s value rose 1.6% while its weight fell 35.7%, led by 21,294 fewer tonnes of whole frozen Alaska pollock. Peru fell 29.3% but still ranked fifth. Outside the top 10, Türkiye more than doubled to US$20.8 million, of which US$17.5 million was frozen bluefin tuna fillets.

    The ranking of Korea’s seafood suppliers by country has the full list. See also the Vietnam export guide and the Norway export guide.

    Which species groups did Korea import most in Q3 2026?

    Shrimp stayed Korea’s largest seafood import group in Q3 2026 at US$205.5 million, nearly flat on Q3 2025. Squid and cuttlefish stayed second despite a 31.5% fall. The species groups cover 67.0% of Q3 import value.

    Species groupValue (US$ million)Weight (tonnes)US$/kgValue changeLeading origin (share)
    Shrimp205.529,7606.91−0.3%Vietnam (42.3%)
    Squid and cuttlefish158.345,2853.50−31.5%China (33.5%)
    Salmon122.510,14412.07+12.7%Norway (90.3%)
    Long-arm octopus (nakji)67.05,58012.02−4.8%China (88.4%)
    Alaska pollock fillets, surimi and roe57.215,9883.58−3.5%Russia (74.0%)
    Webfoot octopus (jukkumi)55.97,6377.32+1.3%Vietnam (85.7%)
    Tuna47.75,6228.48+44.5%Türkiye (38.2%)
    Mackerel46.68,0435.79+19.2%Norway (86.0%)
    Snow crab, live and fresh45.02,09721.47+15.0%Russia (99.8%)
    Other crab, frozen38.43,9039.83+23.0%Russia (80.6%)

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Q3 2026; change is against Q3 2025. Species groups are LINKSUP’s grouping of HSK codes, listed under Sources and method.

    Frozen peeled shrimp (HSK 0306.17.1090) was the largest single code at US$110.2 million, 42.4% from Vietnam. Frozen squid (0307.43.2090, “other squid, frozen”) was second at US$85.3 million, down 39.1%, and fresh Atlantic salmon (0302.14.0000) was third at US$68.6 million, up 14.5%.

    Korea paid 33.0% more for frozen mackerel (0303.54.0000) but took 27.9% less by weight, as the price rose from US$2.78/kg to US$5.14/kg. Norway supplied 90.9%. See the mackerel price analysis, the salmon guide, the shrimp guide and the ranking of what Korea imports most.

    What stood out this quarter?

    Squid explains the whole decline. Korea’s squid and cuttlefish imports fell by US$72.7 million; total seafood imports fell by US$35.8 million. Without squid, Korea’s Q3 seafood imports rose 2.9% to US$1,309.3 million.

    Frozen squid (0307.43.2090) dropped 21.2% in weight and 22.8% in unit price, to US$2.61/kg. Customs data does not show why. For context, Korea’s own squid catch rose 128.5% to 31,006 tonnes in 2025, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF). If you sell squid, check your buyers’ 2026 order sizes before quoting for 2027. The squid import guide covers origins and codes.

    The Trends tab of SEACHING’s page for this code plots Korea’s monthly import value and unit price for the latest year, so you can see whether the two moved together.

    SEACHING Trends tab for other frozen squid (HS 0307432090), data period 2025-10 to 2026-09, with a 12-month chart of Korea's import value and unit price

    Of the 53,838 tonnes Korea’s imports lost in Q3, whole frozen Alaska pollock accounted for 39% (down 58.5% to 14,832 tonnes) and squid and cuttlefish for 20%.

    How should you read these numbers?

    Read the average unit price as a mix figure, not a market price. At each HS code’s Q3 2025 price, Korea’s Q3 2026 imports would have been worth US$1,423.5 million; the actual figure was 3.1% higher. The rest of the 15.1% rise comes from fewer kilos of cheap products, such as whole frozen pollock at US$1.58/kg.

    Notes on method:

    • Unit price is customs value divided by weight. Korea values imports at CIF, so compare it with your CIF price.
    • Scope is narrower than some official totals. The guide to Korea’s seafood market size explains why published totals differ.

    How can you check Q3 imports of your own product?

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, has a page for each 10-digit HSK code. Compare July–September 2026 with the same months of 2025: frozen peeled shrimp import data on SEACHING (free sign-up), frozen squid imports by month (free sign-up), fresh Atlantic salmon imports by origin (free sign-up) and whole frozen Alaska pollock imports (free sign-up).

    You may quote the figures in this report with attribution: “Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, July–September 2026.” For other species, origins or months, query the data on SEACHING (free sign-up).

    FAQ

    Which country supplies the most seafood to South Korea?

    China supplied 23.0% of Korea’s seafood import value in Q3 2026, or US$337.9 million, ahead of Russia (17.4%) and Vietnam (15.3%), according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data (HS 03 and 1603–1605).

    Why do different sources give different totals for Korea’s seafood imports?

    Sources use different product scopes and price bases. Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries totals include salt and other non-fish lines, while this report covers HS 03 and 1603–1605 only. Korea’s customs values are CIF, so they include freight and insurance to the Korean port.

    Sources and method

    • SEACHING, Korea Customs Service import data by 10-digit HSK code and origin, monthly, July 2025 to September 2026 and January–September of 2025 and 2026, queried October 15, 2026
    • Korea Customs Service trade statistics, source of the customs data, accessed October 15, 2026
    • Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries press release on 2025 fisheries production, February 26, 2026
    • Scope: HS chapter 03 plus HS 1603, 1604 and 1605 (516 HSK codes). Seaweed (1212), salt (2501) and non-food codes (0511, 1521, 2301) excluded.
    • Origin totals add up each origin’s code-level imports; origins with under US$100,000 of a code in the 12 months to September 2026 are counted in “All other origins”.
    • Species groups (HSK): shrimp 0306.16/17/35/36/95 and 1605.21/29; squid and cuttlefish 0307.42/43/49 and 1605.54; salmon 0302.13/14, 0303.11–13, 0304.41/81, 0305.41; long-arm octopus 0307.51.1000 and 0307.52.2000; Alaska pollock fillets, surimi and roe 0304.75, 0304.94, 0303.91.2010; webfoot octopus 0307.51.2000 and 0307.52.3000; tuna 0302.3x, 0303.4x, 0304.87; mackerel 0302.44, 0303.54, 0304.89.5000; snow crab 0306.33.2000; other frozen crab 0306.14.9090. Nineteen groups in total cover 67.0% of Q3 2026 value.
    • Unit price is customs value (CIF, US$) divided by weight (kg).
  • Korea’s Cod Imports: Origins, Prices and Frozen vs Fillet

    Korea’s Cod Imports: Origins, Prices and Frozen vs Fillet

    Data as of: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data through September 2026, queried October 15, 2026. Tariff rates from the Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule, checked October 15, 2026.

    Korea’s cod imports are mostly frozen whole fish, not fillets. In Jan–Sep 2026, Korea imported 6,589 tonnes of frozen cod worth US$35.2 million, according to SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data. Russia supplied 75.2% at US$6.16/kg and the US 19.8% at US$3.95/kg. Volume fell 23.5% from a year earlier.

    Key takeaways

    • Korea imported 6,589 tonnes of frozen cod (HSK 0303.63.0000) worth US$35.2 million in Jan–Sep 2026: value up 3.0% and volume down 23.5% on Jan–Sep 2025 (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Russia supplied 75.2% of Korea’s frozen cod imports by value in Jan–Sep 2026 at US$6.16/kg, up from US$4.13/kg a year earlier, while its volume fell 36.1% (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • US frozen cod cleared Korean customs at US$3.95/kg in Jan–Sep 2026, up 13.4% on Jan–Sep 2025, with volume flat at 1,764 tonnes (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • Frozen cod fillets (HSK 0304.71.0000) were a US$4.6 million market in Jan–Sep 2026, at an average of US$9.79/kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data).
    • In 2026, frozen cod pays 0% duty in Korea from the US, Canada and Norway, and the 10% base rate from Russia, which has no FTA with Korea (Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule).

    Cod in Korea at a glance

    ItemJan–Sep 2026
    SizeUS$41.0 million across four cod codes; frozen whole cod is 85.8% of that value
    Top origins (frozen whole)Russia 75.2%, US 19.8%, Japan 4.4%
    Price band (customs value)Frozen whole US$3.25–6.16/kg (Russia, US, Japan); frozen fillets US$8.22–15.25/kg (top five origins)
    Main HS codes0303.63.0000 frozen cod; 0304.71.0000 frozen cod fillets
    Tariff, frozen cod (2026)10% base and Russia; 0% US, Canada, EFTA, Chile; 5% ASEAN

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule.

    How much cod does Korea import, and from where?

    Korea imported US$41.0 million and 7,211 tonnes of cod across four HS codes in Jan–Sep 2026. Frozen whole cod made up 85.8% of the value, fillets 11.2%, dried cod 2.7% and fresh cod 0.3%. Cod is a small line in Korea’s seafood trade: 0.93% of Korea’s seafood imports in the same months. Korea’s seafood imports here means HS chapter 03 plus prepared fish and crustaceans (HS 1603–1605); seaweed and salt are excluded.

    Frozen whole cod is where the volume is, and two origins dominate it.

    OriginJan–Sep 2025 (US$ million)Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Share of value, 2026Tonnes, 2026US$/kg, 2025 → 2026
    Russia27.7626.4675.2%4,2974.13 → 6.16
    United States6.196.9719.8%1,7643.48 → 3.95
    Japan0.0031.544.4%4733.25 (2026)
    Canada0.130.200.6%501.85 → 4.00
    All origins34.1335.17100%6,5893.96 → 5.34

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, HSK 0303.63.0000, imports, Jan–Sep 2025 and Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Three things stand out. First, Korea paid slightly more for much less fish: value rose 3.0% while tonnage fell 23.5%. Second, Russia’s share slipped from 81.3% to 75.2%: its tonnage dropped 36.1% and its value 4.7%, while US value rose 12.7%. Third, Japan went from almost nothing (3 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2025) to 473 tonnes.

    The longer view gives the same order of origins. In full-year 2024, Russia shipped 9,027 tonnes of frozen cod to Korea worth US$27.1 million, and the US 2,284 tonnes worth US$7.4 million. In 2025, Korea’s frozen cod imports reached US$44.0 million and 11,022 tonnes, with Russia at 79.6% of the value. The 2024 figures cover origins with at least US$100,000 of trade in the 12 months to September 2026, so very small origins may be missing from the 2024 totals.

    For a US or Canadian seller, this data means US cod already holds about a fifth of Korea’s frozen cod imports by value, and Russian cod is the largest line a buyer can compare an offer with. The guide to what US and Canadian exporters sell to Korea covers the other species on that route.

    Why does Russian cod cost more per kg than US cod in Korea?

    Russian frozen cod averaged US$6.16/kg at Korean customs in Jan–Sep 2026, against US$3.95/kg for US cod. This gap is new. In 2024, Russian cod averaged US$3.00/kg and US cod US$3.24/kg, so Russian fish was the cheaper of the two.

    The change came from Russia’s side. Russia’s monthly customs price ran between US$2.26 and US$3.47/kg from October 2023 to December 2024. It reached US$7.05/kg in July 2026 and US$7.35/kg in September 2026, against US$3.72/kg in September 2025. In Q3 (Jul–Sep), Russian cod averaged US$7.02/kg in 2026 against US$4.32/kg in 2025, while Korea took 1,918 tonnes instead of 3,103. US cod rose more slowly, from US$3.55/kg to US$4.29/kg over the same quarters.

    Line chart of Korea's monthly import price for frozen cod from Russia and the US, October 2023 to September 2026, with Russian cod rising from about US$3/kg to US$7.35/kg in September 2026 against US$4.17/kg for US cod

    Korean news reports point the same way. Herald Business reported in July 2026 that imported frozen cod cost KRW 8,120/kg in June 2026, 40.8% more than a year earlier. That is a market price in won, not a customs value, so do not compare it directly with the US$/kg figures above.

    Customs data does not say why Russian cod became dearer. A customs price is the declared value divided by net weight, valued on a CIF basis, so several things move it. Before you read the gap as “Korea will pay more for my cod”, check these variables:

    VariableWhy it moves the customs priceWhat to check
    SpeciesAtlantic and Pacific cod share one code, so the average mixes themAsk the buyer which species they compare with
    Product formHeaded and gutted and round fish share one codeYour form against the buyer’s specification
    Size gradeAll grades share one codeGrade breakdown in the offer
    TimingCustoms data is counted by month of import, not by contract dateMonths in which the shipments landed
    FreightCIF value includes freight to KoreaYour CIF, not FOB, price

    The guide to benchmarking your price against Korean customs prices explains how to compare an offer with these averages without mixing forms or terms.

    When does Korea import the most frozen cod?

    Korea imports frozen cod all year, but arrivals bunch up. In the 12 months to September 2026, November 2025 took 15.2% of the volume, July 2026 12.2% and February 2026 11.0%. October 2025 and April 2026 each took less than 4%.

    The six months from October to March took 54.4% of the 12-month volume. This is one year of monthly data, so treat it as a pattern rather than a fixed calendar. The 2025 data shows similar peaks in February, July and November.

    Because arrivals cluster in a few months, ask a Korean buyer when they plan to book before you plan your production. The Trends tab for the frozen cod code on SEACHING shows Korea’s monthly import value and unit price, so you can check whether the pattern holds when new months are added.

    Frozen whole cod vs fillets: why is Korea’s fillet market so small?

    Korea’s frozen cod fillet imports were US$4.6 million and 469 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, against US$35.2 million for whole frozen cod. The fillet line is not growing: value fell 3.6% and volume 27.1% from Jan–Sep 2025.

    OriginShare of fillet value, Jan–Sep 2026US$/kg, Jan–Sep 2026
    Russia61.0%9.24
    United States22.3%11.94
    China5.6%8.22
    Vietnam5.4%8.63
    Norway2.4%15.25
    All origins100%9.79

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, HSK 0304.71.0000, imports, Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Here the price order flips. US fillets cost more per kg than Russian fillets, and Norway’s small volume came in at US$15.25/kg. China and Vietnam each supplied just over 5% of the fillet value in 2026, against 0.1% and nothing in Jan–Sep 2025.

    The data shows what Korea buys, not why. Read as a seller, it means a fillet offer competes for a pool about one-eighth the value of whole frozen cod, while a whole-cod offer enters the bigger pool, where Russian supply is the main comparison. The article on why Korean buyers search by species, state and form explains how to describe your product for them.

    Bar chart of Korea's import price per kg for frozen whole cod and frozen cod fillets from Russia and the US, Jan–Sep 2026

    Which HS codes cover cod in Korea?

    Korea classifies cod under four 10-digit codes (HSK), one for each form. All four cover the Gadus species: Atlantic cod (G. morhua), Greenland cod (G. ogac) and Pacific cod (G. macrocephalus).

    HSKProductJan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)Main origin, 2026Base duty, 2026
    0303.63.0000Cod, frozen (other than fillets)35.17Russia10%
    0304.71.0000Cod fillets, frozen4.59Russia10%
    0305.51.0000Cod, dried, salted or not (not smoked)1.12China (100%)20%
    0302.51.0000Cod, fresh or chilled0.13China (97.8%)20%

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026; Korea Customs Service 2026 tariff schedule.

    Pacific and Atlantic cod share the same code, so customs data cannot split them. Fresh cod imports fell from US$0.56 million in Jan–Sep 2025 to US$0.13 million in Jan–Sep 2026. Dried cod comes only from China, at US$12.04/kg. The guide to Korea’s seafood import duty explains how to look up any other code.

    Hake, sablefish or cod: which “cod” are you actually selling?

    Hake and sablefish are separate markets in Korea with their own codes, origins and prices. Adding them to cod makes Korea’s cod market look bigger than it is. Korea’s own HS descriptions use three different names: daegu for cod, mindaegu for hake and eundaegu for sablefish.

    CodHakeSablefish (black cod)
    Korean name in the HSKdaegumindaegueundaegu
    GenusGadusMerluccius, UrophycisAnoplopoma
    HSK, frozen whole0303.63.00000303.66.00000303.89.1000
    Jan–Sep 2026 (US$ million)35.179.351.16
    US$/kg, Jan–Sep 20265.341.649.14
    Main originsRussia, USVanuatu, MexicoUS

    Source: SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data, imports, Jan–Sep 2026, queried October 15, 2026.

    Frozen hake is a fast-growing, low-price line. Korea imported US$9.35 million and 5,685 tonnes in Jan–Sep 2026, up 34.3% in value, with Vanuatu at 47.6% and Mexico at 45.2%. In 2024 it was a US$1.47 million line, almost all from Mexico (origins with at least US$100,000 of trade in the 12 months to September 2026). Frozen hake fillets (HSK 0304.74.0000) came only from China, at US$3.31/kg.

    Sablefish is a small, high-price line. Korea imported US$1.16 million in Jan–Sep 2026, 87.7% from the US at US$10.86/kg and the rest from Russia at US$4.30/kg. If you sell sablefish as “black cod”, put the HSK and the Latin name on the offer so the buyer can match it to the right code.

    What tariff does cod pay in Korea by origin?

    As of October 2026, frozen whole cod pays a 10% base duty in Korea, and FTAs cut it to 0% for the US, Canada, Norway (EFTA), Chile, Australia and Peru. Russia has no FTA with Korea, so Russian cod pays the 10% base rate.

    OriginFrozen cod 0303.63Frozen cod fillets 0304.71Fresh cod 0302.51Dried cod 0305.51
    No FTA (e.g., Russia)10%10%20%20%
    United States0%0%0%0%
    Canada0%0%0%0%
    Norway, Iceland (EFTA)0%0%0%0%
    EU, UK (Jan–Jun 2026)0%0%0%0%
    Japan10% (no RCEP cut listed)6.7% (RCEP)20%20%
    China10%0%18%20%
    ASEAN (Korea–ASEAN FTA)5%0%5%0%
    New Zealand2%2%0%0%

    Source: Korea Customs Service, tariff rates by item 2026 (data.go.kr file dated February 11, 2026), rates for January 1–December 31, 2026; EU and UK rates listed through June 30, 2026. Checked October 15, 2026.

    Two points matter for pricing. A US or Canadian seller starts 10 percentage points ahead of Russian cod on duty, if the importer claims the FTA rate with valid proof of origin before customs clears the goods. And Japan’s 2026 file lists no RCEP rate for whole frozen cod, so Japanese cod appears to pay the 10% base rate; confirm it on UNIPASS.

    The file does not list EU and UK rates after June 30, 2026, so check them on UNIPASS before you quote. Tariff rates change each January, and FTA rates follow each agreement’s schedule. Confirm the rate for your shipment with a licensed customs broker before you price it.

    What do you need before shipping cod to Korea?

    Before the first shipment, your processing plant has to be registered with Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as a foreign food manufacturer. Registration is valid for two years. Russia is one of 11 countries whose seafood plants register through a government-to-government agreement, not online, according to MFDS’s October 2024 registration guide. For those origins, each shipment also needs the exporting government’s health certificate.

    The Korean importer files the import declaration and pays the duty; your job is the registration, the documents and the proof of origin. The step-by-step guide to exporting seafood to Korea covers each step, and the guide to Russian crab in Korea shows how another Russian species is traded into Korea.

    How to check this yourself in SEACHING

    SEACHING, a Korea seafood trade data platform operated by LINKSUP, Inc. in Busan, shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code, origin and month. Open the frozen cod code and the “By Country” table lists each origin’s import value, unit price and volume for the latest 12 months.

    SEACHING By Country table for Korea's frozen cod imports (HS 0303630000), listing Russia, the United States, Japan, Canada and Portugal with value, unit price and volume for October 2025 to September 2026

    In the screenshot, you can compare Russia, the US and Japan side by side on value, US$/kg and tonnes. The table covers the latest 12 months, so its figures differ from the Jan–Sep totals above. Each origin also has its own SEACHING page with month-by-month import prices; the Russian and US monthly series in this article come from those pages.

    Related guides:

    • South Korea seafood imports: Q3 2026 report
    • What seafood Korea imports the most, by species
    • Korea’s pollock imports from Russia and the US

    Before you quote a Korean buyer, check how much frozen cod Korea imported last month, from which origins and at what customs value per kg. SEACHING shows Korea’s seafood imports by 10-digit HS code and month, built on Korea Customs Service data. Look up cod on SEACHING (free sign-up)

    FAQ

    Is Pacific cod the same HS code as Atlantic cod in Korea?

    Yes. Korea classifies frozen Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) under the same code, HSK 0303.63.0000, with fillets under 0304.71.0000. Korea’s customs data therefore cannot show the two species separately. Name the species on your offer and invoice so the buyer can compare like with like.

    Does Korea import salted or dried cod?

    Only a little. Korea imported US$1.12 million of dried cod, salted or not (HSK 0305.51.0000), in Jan–Sep 2026, all of it from China at US$12.04/kg (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). The base duty on this code is 20% in 2026.

    What price should I expect for frozen cod in Korea?

    There is no single price. The average customs value for frozen whole cod was US$5.34/kg in Jan–Sep 2026, but US$6.16/kg for Russian and US$3.95/kg for US cod (SEACHING analysis of Korea Customs Service data). These are CIF customs values, not wholesale or retail prices, so compare them with your CIF offer.

    Sources and method