Markets

Pelagic species are oil rich fish species. In Scotland the main species are herring, mackerel and blue whiting.

• The top 3 markets for herring are the Netherlands, Germany and Russia.
• The top 3 markets for mackerel are Russia, the Netherlands and Nigeria.
• The principal market for blue whiting is fish meal.

The product is shipped block frozen in large volumes to lower value markets, such as Russia and Nigeria, although increasing volumes are going to China and Japan. Culturally, Germany and the Netherlands have always consumed high levels of oil rich fish.