Scientific name
Scomber scombrus; Scomber colias
Also known as
Scottish mackerel, Norwegian mackerel, Atlantic chub mackerel, caballa, maquereau
Main origins
United Kingdom, Morocco, Norway, Ireland
Main season
UK autumn and winter
Overview
About Atlantic Mackerel
Atlantic mackerel is a fast swimming schooling fish of the Northeast Atlantic, caught at its fattest in autumn and winter. Atlantic chub mackerel is a warmer water relative abundant off Morocco. Both have rich, oily flesh with a strong flavour, with Scomber scombrus generally the higher fat fish.
Scottish pelagic trawlers land mackerel chilled in refrigerated sea water tanks for processing in Shetland and Peterhead, with Norway, Ireland and the Faroe Islands also major suppliers. Moroccan chub mackerel goes largely to canning and frozen export. Main buyers are in Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Key points
- Whole round and fillets
- Graded in grams per piece
- High fat autumn catch
- MSC suspended since 2019
Origins
Where it comes from
United Kingdom
Scottish pelagic trawlers take mackerel mainly in autumn and winter, landing to Shetland and Peterhead plants.
Morocco
Scomber colias is landed by purse seiners along the Atlantic coast for canning and frozen export.
Norway
A major competing origin with similar grades, fishing mainly from late summer to autumn.
Available origins vary through the year. Contact us for current availability.
Specifications
Available formats
| Product forms | Whole round, headed and gutted, fillets, flaps |
| Sizes (g per piece) | Scomber scombrus WR 300/500, 400/600, 600 up; Scomber colias graded by pieces per kg, plant specific |
| Freezing | Plate frozen blocks, land frozen; IQF available |
| Packing | 20 kg cartons standard for whole round blocks |
| Main season | UK autumn and winter; Morocco year round under quota |
| Certifications | MSC suspended for Northeast Atlantic mackerel since 2019; UK plants commonly BRCGS |
Northeast Atlantic mackerel MSC certificates have been suspended since 2019 because combined national quotas exceed scientific advice. Specifications are typical for the trade and vary by origin and supplier. We source to your exact requirements.
Interested in Atlantic Mackerel?
Send us your specification, volumes and destination and we will come back to you with suitable offers.