Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFrozen
Industry PositionPrimary Fisheries Product
Raw Material
Market
In the Philippines, scad—especially round scad locally known as “galunggong”—is a widely consumed, price-sensitive staple fish primarily supplied by domestic marine capture fisheries. Supply is shaped by fisheries-management measures such as the annual closed fishing season for round scad in Northern Palawan (typically November–January), with commercial fishing resuming outside the closure window. Imports of certain scad species are regulated via BFAR/DA permitting (SPSIC/permits), and the DA has temporarily suspended SPSIC issuance for specific scad imports during integrity investigations. For trade, BFAR sets import controls (permits and SPS certification/testing) and export rules requiring SSOP/HACCP-compliant processing establishments and BFAR sanitary/health certification for fresh/chilled/frozen fishery exports.
Market RoleDomestic producer and consumer market with regulated, episodic imports
Domestic RoleHousehold staple fish sold widely through public/wet-market channels; also used by institutional buyers for processing when permitted
SeasonalityRound scad availability is influenced by the annual Northern Palawan closed fishing season (typically November–January), with commercial fishing resuming outside the closure period.
Specification
Primary VarietyRound scad (galunggong; Decapterus spp.)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Landing/port auction → sorting/handling with icing → freezing → cold storage → wholesale distribution → retail (wet markets/supermarkets) or institutional processing
Temperature- Deep-frozen seafood handling requires maintaining product temperature at or below -18°C through storage and transport to prevent quality loss.
Shelf Life- Frozen fish quality loss is accelerated by temperature fluctuations and dehydration (“freezer burn”); glazing and protective packaging help slow oxidation and dehydration in cold storage.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighFor exporters targeting the EU, failure to meet IUU catch certification and validation expectations can result in shipment rejection and, in escalated cases, market access restrictions; the EU is moving to compulsory electronic catch-certificate workflows via CATCH from January 10, 2026, increasing enforcement and data-quality demands.Maintain end-to-end catch documentation and traceability from vessel/landing through processing; ensure flag-State validation readiness and align internal records with EU catch certificate (CATCH) requirements before contracting EU-bound sales.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPhilippine import availability can be disrupted by policy actions such as temporary DA suspension of SPSIC issuance for certain scad imports during investigations into permit misuse/diversion, tightening supply for institutional and market channels that depend on authorized imports.Diversify supply between compliant domestic landings and authorized import sources; build contractual flexibility around permit/SPSIC status and monitor DA/BFAR advisories.
Logistics MediumFrozen scad is cold-chain dependent; temperature abuse (storage/transport excursions) accelerates quality deterioration, dehydration, and downgrading, increasing rejection/dispute risk and margin loss.Require -18°C cold-chain monitoring with recorded temperature logs; use glazing/protective packaging to reduce dehydration and implement strict receiving checks for thaw/refreeze indicators.
Sustainability- Fisheries management risk: annual closed fishing season for round scad (galunggong) in Northern Palawan to protect spawning stocks; supply can tighten during closure months.
- Overfishing and stock-recovery dependency: policy enforcement and compliance in small pelagic fisheries directly affect continuity of landings and market availability.
Labor & Social- Small-scale and commercial fishing livelihoods can be disrupted by closed-season enforcement and compliance actions; buyer due diligence may include checking for legal-gear and closed-season compliance in sourcing.
FAQ
When is the closed fishing season for galunggong (round scad) in Northern Palawan?BFAR implements an annual three-month closed season for round scad in Northern Palawan, commonly from November 1 to January 31, to protect spawning stocks. BFAR issues advisories for the specific season and any adjustments.
What documents and controls are commonly required to import frozen fish such as scad into the Philippines?Under BFAR’s import rules, importation typically requires BFAR/DA authorization (such as a permit/SPSIC as applicable) and sanitary/phytosanitary controls, including required examinations and issuance of an SPS release certification under the conditions of the order. Wet-market-bound imports are routed through government fish ports (PFDA) for monitoring under the same framework.
What are the core compliance requirements to export frozen fish products from the Philippines?BFAR export rules require that exported fish products come from processing establishments certified by BFAR as compliant with SSOP and HACCP, and that BFAR issues a product sanitary/health certification for the shipment. If exporting to the EU, exporters also need catch-certificate documentation validated by the flag State under the EU IUU catch certification scheme.