Understanding the frozen horse mackerel trade requires more than just monitoring prices and supply volumes. For industry professionals, a comprehensive grasp of the species' biological characteristics, global fishing grounds, resource management frameworks, and specific trade compliance requirements is essential for navigating this complex market.
Biological Profile and Key Species
Horse mackerel belong to the genus Trachurus within the Carangidae family, with multiple commercially significant species distributed worldwide . The Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) is the most common species in European waters and represented approximately 5% of global catches in 2022 . Other commercially important species include Chilean jack mackerel, Cape horse mackerel, and Japanese jack mackerel .
Atlantic horse mackerel is a benthopelagic demersal fish that lives in large schools on sandy bottoms of the continental shelf and slope, typically between 100 and 200 meters depth, though it can reach 1,050 meters during winter . The species exhibits distinct migration patterns: moving northward in summer and returning to southern waters in winter as temperatures drop. Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans, small fish, and squid .
The species typically measures between 30 cm and 40 cm. Males reach sexual maturity at approximately 5 years (around 20 cm in length), while females mature earlier at 3 years . Spawning seasons vary by population: Northeast Atlantic stocks spawn in spring, North Sea stocks in summer, and Central and Southeast Atlantic populations spawn from November to January .
Global Fishing Grounds and Harvesting Methods
Horse mackerel are predominantly fished using pelagic trawls, as well as seines, hooks and lines, and gillnets . Major fishing areas include the Northeast and Southeast Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, the Northwest and Western Central Pacific, and parts of the Indian Ocean .
In 2022, global catches of horse and jack mackerel species reached 2.2 million tonnes, representing 2.3% of global fish catches . Chile and Namibia are the primary catching nations in the Southeast Pacific and Southeast Atlantic respectively. EU member states contributed 168,929 tonnes in 2022, mainly from Lithuanian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, and Portuguese fleets operating in the Northeast Atlantic and Southeast Pacific .
Fisheries Management and Quota Systems
EU fisheries targeting horse mackerel are managed through Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas, established based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for eight distinct stocks . A minimum catch size of 15 cm is enforced across all fishing areas .
Stock assessment methodologies continue to evolve. Recent benchmark workshops have refined definitions for western horse mackerel stocks (now encompassing ICES Subarea 8 and divisions 2.a, 3.a, 4.a, 5.b, 6.a, and 7.a–c, 7.e–k) and North Sea stocks (divisions 4.b, 4.c, and 7.d) . Assessment models now incorporate acoustic survey biomass indices, standardized commercial CPUE time-series from industry self-sampling programs, and updated maturity ogives .
EU Market Structure and Trade Flows
In 2022, EU landings of horse and jack mackerel reached 113,755 tonnes valued at EUR 115 million. The Netherlands accounted for 34% of total volume, followed by Spain (25%), Portugal (18%), and Ireland (16%). The EU market is supplemented by imports of frozen product, primarily from Chile and the United Kingdom .
Spain and Portugal are the primary consuming nations within the EU, while the Netherlands serves as a trade hub for imports from non-EU countries destined for the European market. Notably, a significant portion of EU supply-62% by volume-is re-exported, mostly as frozen products to Egypt, Japan, and Côte d'Ivoire. The main re-exporters are the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland .
Trade Compliance and Customs Classification
For exporters targeting the Chinese market, specific regulatory requirements apply. Frozen horse mackerel falls under HS code 0302450000 for fresh or chilled products and 0303590090 for frozen products . China's customs declaration requires detailed information including brand type, processing or preservation method, Latin name, and individual weight specifications .
Since January 1, 2022, all overseas food manufacturers and exporters must complete GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) registration before exporting to China. The GACC registration number must be printed on the Chinese label of imported food products . Additionally, as of September 5, 2024, importers must use a new 18-digit unified code for foreign exporters or agents, replacing the previous 11-digit system .
Import tariffs for HS code 0302450000 include an MFN duty rate of 12%, with VAT at 9% . China also imposes specific inspection and quarantine requirements, with different risk levels (A, B, C, D) applied to imported foods based on risk classification, and medium-to-high risk items requiring additional manufacturer registration and pre-market approval procedures .
Key Quality Considerations
Handling and quality preservation from capture to first point of sale are critical factors affecting product value. Industry bodies such as the Irish Sea Fisheries Board (BIM) have developed practical guidelines for maintaining quality throughout the supply chain . For exporters, understanding these quality parameters is essential for meeting the expectations of discerning international buyers.
