Fresh Herring Market Overview 2026

Sub Product
Fresh Atlantic Herring, Fresh Baltic Herring, Fresh Icelandic Herring, Fresh North Sea Herring, +2
Derived Products
Canned Herring, Dried Herring, Rollmops, Frozen Herring
Last Updated
2026-05-01
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
  • Fresh Herring market coverage spans 20 countries.
  • 163 exporter companies and 58 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
  • 144 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 9 countries.
  • 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
  • Wholesale sample entries: 5; farmgate sample entries: 5.
  • Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
  • Page data last updated on 2026-05-01.

Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Fresh Herring

Analyze 144 supplier-linked transactions across the top 9 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Fresh Herring.

Fresh Herring Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum

Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Fresh Herring to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Fresh Herring: Germany (-37.8%), India (+29.5%), United Kingdom (-22.8%).

Fresh Herring Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary

As of 2025-06, benchmark Fresh Herring country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-11, countries with visible Fresh Herring transaction unit prices: Sri Lanka (21.69 USD / kg), Japan (15.59 USD / kg), India (3.98 USD / kg).
CountryYoY ChangeTransaction Count2025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-05
India+29.5%816.53 USD / kg (30 kg)- (-)4.79 USD / kg (415 kg)4.38 USD / kg (366 kg)3.75 USD / kg (856 kg)3.98 USD / kg (1,227 kg)
Japan+12.4%3823.52 USD / kg (3.6 kg)26.03 USD / kg (8 kg)11.15 USD / kg (1 kg)- (-)- (-)15.59 USD / kg (1.1 kg)
Italy-51.00 USD / kg (10 kg)0.83 USD / kg (12 kg)- (-)1.00 USD / kg (13 kg)1.00 USD / kg (17 kg)- (-)
Germany-37.8%2- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Sri Lanka-10- (-)- (-)21.07 USD / kg (59.65 kg)22.15 USD / kg (6.3 kg)20.08 USD / kg (38.3 kg)21.69 USD / kg (13.55 kg)
Poland-59.95 USD / kg (36.49 kg)- (-)- (-)20.62 USD / kg (7.55 kg)6.08 USD / kg (30 kg)- (-)
Iceland-1- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)1.67 USD / kg (25,620 kg)- (-)
Lithuania-15.62 USD / kg (820.8 kg)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
United Kingdom-22.8%1- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Fresh Herring Global Supply Chain Coverage
221 companies
163 exporters and 58 importers are mapped for Fresh Herring.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Fresh Herring, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.

Fresh Herring Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals

163 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Fresh Herring. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.

Fresh Herring Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles

Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 163 total exporter companies in the Fresh Herring supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Senegal)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Export Partner Companies: 4
Industries: Food WholesalersFishing AquacultureShipping And Water Transport
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(Spain)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Food PackagingFishing AquacultureFood ManufacturingBrokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(France)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Fishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing
(Senegal)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Retail
(Senegal)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Fishing AquacultureOthersFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingFarming / Production / Processing / PackingOthers
Exporting Countries: Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Spain, Italy
Supplying Products: Fresh Herring, Fresh Sole, Frozen Skipjack Tuna +5
(Brazil)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
Fresh Herring Global Exporter Coverage
163 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Fresh Herring supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Fresh Herring opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.

Fresh Herring Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks

58 importer companies are mapped for Fresh Herring demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.

Fresh Herring Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners

Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 58 total importer companies tracked for Fresh Herring. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Russia)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Brokers And Trade AgenciesFishing AquacultureFood Services And Drinking PlacesFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Netherlands
(China)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Industries: Fishing AquacultureBrokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: -
(Russia)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Food ManufacturingFishing AquacultureBrokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: Netherlands, China
(Russia)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Animal ProductionBrokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: -
(Kazakhstan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Industries: OthersFood ManufacturingFood PackagingBeverage Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: -
(Senegal)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food ManufacturingFood PackagingFishing Aquaculture
Value Chain Roles: Spain, Ivory Coast, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Belgium, Gambia, Brunei
Global Importer Coverage
58 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Fresh Herring.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Fresh Herring buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.

Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Herring

Fresh Herring Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Fresh Herring wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2025-11, countries with visible Fresh Herring wholesale unit prices: Ukraine (9.52 USD / kg), South Korea (5.29 USD / kg), Japan (4.48 USD / kg), Denmark (2.37 USD / kg).
Country2025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-05
Denmark2.14 USD / kg1.63 USD / kg2.32 USD / kg1.61 USD / kg1.98 USD / kg2.37 USD / kg
Japan3.09 USD / kg3.12 USD / kg4.22 USD / kg4.04 USD / kg4.26 USD / kg4.48 USD / kg
South Korea2.92 USD / kg3.46 USD / kg5.38 USD / kg8.35 USD / kg9.13 USD / kg5.29 USD / kg
Spain------
Ukraine9.63 USD / kg9.59 USD / kg9.68 USD / kg9.60 USD / kg9.61 USD / kg9.52 USD / kg

Fresh Herring Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries

Compare Fresh Herring wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 5 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1Denmark2.14 USD / kg0.40 USD / kg5.76 USD / kg+15.8%
2Japan3.52 USD / kg2.25 USD / kg5.53 USD / kg+1.0%
3South Korea4.73 USD / kg0.70 USD / kg17.38 USD / kg+3.7%
4Spain2.62 USD / kg2.60 USD / kg2.64 USD / kg+4.9%
5Ukraine9.48 USD / kg3.19 USD / kg15.70 USD / kg+2.2%

Latest Fresh Herring Wholesale Export Price Updates

Use the latest 5 Fresh Herring wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2026-04-01Sil* *********** ** * ********* *** ******* *********** *********** ***1.85 USD / kg
2026-04-01Sil* *********** ** * ********* ** ******* *********** *********** ***2.68 USD / kg
2026-04-01Skæ****** *********** ** * ********* ** ******* *********** *********** ****4.37 USD / kg
2026-04-01Skæ****** *********** ** * ********* *** ******* ***** ****** *********** ****0.94 USD / kg
2026-04-01Skæ****** *********** ** * ********* **** ******* ***** ****** *********** ****0.94 USD / kg

Global Farmgate Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Herring

Fresh Herring Monthly Farmgate Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Fresh Herring farmgate unit-price benchmarks by country to monitor supplier-side cost movement.
In 2025-08, countries with visible Fresh Herring farmgate unit prices: Denmark (2.49 USD / kg).
Country2025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-042026-05
Denmark3.00 USD / kg3.00 USD / kg2.49 USD / kg---

Fresh Herring Farmgate Cost Trends by Major Exporting Supplier Countries

Compare Fresh Herring farmgate price levels and YoY changes across the top 1 exporting countries to understand origin-side supplier cost structure.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1Denmark3.07 USD / kg1.72 USD / kg4.15 USD / kg+43.9%

Latest Fresh Herring Farmgate Export Cost Updates

Review the latest 5 Fresh Herring farmgate updates to monitor origin-side export cost and supplier pricing shifts.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2025-08-01Fre** ******* ******** ************ * *** * * **** * ******0.47 USD / kg
2025-07-01Fre** ******* ******** ************ * *** * * **** * ******0.47 USD / kg
2025-06-01Fre** ******* ******** ************ * *** * * **** * ******0.77 USD / kg
2025-03-01Fre** ******* ******** ************ * *** * * **** * ******2.22 USD / kg
2025-01-01Fre** ******* ******** ************ * *** * * **** * ******3.21 USD / kg

Classification

Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product

Raw Material

Commodity GroupSmall pelagic marine fish (Clupeidae)
Scientific NameClupea harengus (Atlantic herring); Clupea pallasii (Pacific herring)
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions
  • Temperate to subarctic marine waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific
  • Schooling pelagic habitat; distribution and availability shift with ocean temperature, prey availability, and spawning migrations
Main VarietiesAtlantic herring, Pacific herring
Consumption Forms
  • Fresh/chilled whole fish (regional markets)
  • Fresh/chilled or frozen fillets (where processed quickly post-landing)
  • Processed products (marinated, salted, smoked, canned), depending on market tradition and buyer specification
  • Roe-based products in certain markets
Grading Factors
  • Freshness indicators (odor, gill color, eye clarity, firmness)
  • Physical condition (bruising, scale loss, belly burst)
  • Size/weight count (market and buyer specification dependent)
  • Seasonal fatness/oiliness (stock- and season-dependent)

Market

Fresh (chilled) herring is a short-shelf-life pelagic fish traded mainly within Northern Europe and other coastal regions near landing ports, while a large share of international herring commerce occurs as frozen or processed products. Global supply is concentrated in temperate to subarctic waters of the North Atlantic (Atlantic herring) and North Pacific (Pacific herring), with fisheries managed through quotas and stock-assessment processes. Key export flows typically originate from major North Atlantic harvesting and pelagic processing hubs (notably in Northern Europe), serving nearby EU/UK markets and re-export channels. Market dynamics are heavily shaped by stock availability, seasonal catch patterns, fisheries-access arrangements, and cold-chain performance for fresh product quality.
Major Producing Countries
  • NorwayMajor North Atlantic pelagic fisheries and a key global landing/processing origin for herring products.
  • RussiaLarge pelagic capture fisheries in northern waters; export profile influenced by market access and compliance requirements.
  • IcelandSignificant North Atlantic pelagic fisheries and export-oriented processing sector.
  • DenmarkImportant pelagic landing and processing hub in Northern Europe (including for fresh/chilled distribution within the region).
  • United KingdomNorth Sea/Northeast Atlantic fisheries with regional fresh market and processing channels.
  • NetherlandsMajor European pelagic trade and processing hub; notable for re-export and distribution.
  • United StatesPacific and Atlantic herring fisheries (regional fresh trade plus processing supply).
  • CanadaNorth Atlantic and North Pacific herring fisheries; mix of domestic use and export channels.
  • JapanNorth Pacific herring presence historically and in regional supply chains; trade often includes processed forms.
Major Exporting Countries
  • NorwayMajor exporter of pelagic fish; fresh trade is typically regional due to short shelf life.
  • DenmarkNorthern European hub for pelagic landings/processing and intra-regional distribution.
  • NetherlandsEuropean trading and re-export hub for pelagic fish, including herring supply into EU retail/wholesale channels.
  • IcelandExport-oriented pelagic sector; shipments commonly optimized as frozen/processed, with fresh shipments constrained by logistics.
  • RussiaLarge supply base; exports depend on market access, sanctions exposure, and catch documentation expectations.
Major Importing Countries
  • GermanyLarge consumer and processing market for herring products; fresh volumes tend to be regionally sourced within Europe.
  • PolandSignificant processing and consumption market for herring products within Europe.
  • SwedenStrong traditional demand base in Northern Europe; imports commonly supplied from regional pelagic hubs.
  • FinlandRegional Northern European market; imports often supplied via nearby Baltic/North Sea channels.
  • NetherlandsTrading hub and transit/re-export gateway within the EU market.

Specification

Major VarietiesAtlantic herring (Clupea harengus), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii)
Physical Attributes
  • Small to medium pelagic fish with silvery skin and relatively soft, oily flesh that is sensitive to bruising and temperature abuse in fresh trade.
  • Quality perception in fresh markets is strongly linked to freshness indicators (eyes, gill color/odor, firmness) and physical integrity (scale loss, crushing).
Compositional Metrics
  • Fat content varies materially by stock and season (often higher pre-spawning), influencing eating quality and suitability for certain processing styles.
  • Oxidation susceptibility is a common buyer concern for oily fish, elevating the importance of rapid chilling and hygienic handling.
Packaging
  • Chilled whole fish commonly shipped in insulated fish boxes with flake ice (or ice slurry) for short-to-medium haul distribution.
  • Returnable plastic crates are used in some regional supply chains where cold-chain turnaround is rapid.

Supply Chain

Value Chain
  • Capture/landing → rapid chilling (icing) → first sale/auction → grading/sorting → chilled transport to wholesaler/processor → retail/foodservice (fresh) or diversion to processing/freeze.
Demand Drivers
  • Traditional consumption in Northern European markets and coastal regions with established herring cuisine.
  • Raw material demand from processors (marinated, salted, smoked, canned), which can influence fresh buying when supply is abundant and quality is suitable.
  • Price-sensitive protein demand for small pelagic fish in certain markets, with substitution effects versus other pelagics (e.g., mackerel, sardine).
Temperature
  • Fresh herring quality is highly dependent on immediate chilling and keeping fish on ice (near 0°C) through distribution to slow spoilage and oxidation.
Shelf Life
  • Fresh/chilled herring has a short sellable window (typically days rather than weeks), so buyers prioritize rapid logistics, consistent icing, and fast turnover.

Risks

Fisheries Management And Stock Availability HighFresh herring supply is fundamentally constrained by wild stock status and fisheries management decisions (TACs/quotas, area closures, and access arrangements). Climate-driven distribution shifts and coastal-state management disputes can tighten quotas or disrupt access, causing abrupt supply and price volatility and, in some cases, reduced eco-label eligibility that affects buyer acceptance.Diversify sourcing across multiple certified/assessed stocks and regions, maintain flexible product specs (fresh vs. frozen substitution), and monitor ICES/NOAA stock advice and coastal-state quota announcements ahead of key fishing windows.
Cold Chain And Shelf Life MediumFresh herring deteriorates quickly if chilling is delayed or icing is insufficient, leading to rapid quality loss, higher claims/rejections, and increased waste in long or congested logistics lanes.Specify rapid post-landing icing, verified temperature control, hygienic handling, and route planning that minimizes dwell time (auction-to-delivery lead time KPIs).
Regulatory Compliance MediumSeafood imports increasingly require traceability and catch documentation to address IUU risk, and some origins face heightened scrutiny or market access constraints tied to sanctions or compliance regimes, potentially disrupting established trade routes.Use robust chain-of-custody documentation (catch certificates where applicable), vessel/area verification, and pre-clearance checks against destination import requirements.
Food Safety MediumAs a fresh animal product, herring can pose food-safety risks if handling hygiene is poor or temperature control fails, and parasite concerns can affect buyer specifications and processing requirements in certain markets.Apply Codex-aligned hygiene controls, supplier HACCP programs, and (where required) validated parasite risk controls and consumer preparation guidance.
Sustainability
  • Stock sustainability risk and quota volatility for pelagic fisheries as climate change shifts distribution, recruitment, and ecosystem dynamics in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.
  • Certification and market-access scrutiny (e.g., eco-label eligibility) when management arrangements are disputed or exploitation rates are judged inconsistent with precautionary advice.
  • Fuel use and emissions intensity in fishing and refrigerated logistics, with pressure to decarbonize fleets and cold chains.
Labor & Social
  • Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing risks in parts of the global seafood sector, driving buyer requirements for catch documentation and traceability.
  • Crew welfare and labor conditions concerns in segments of industrial fishing and distant-water operations, increasing due-diligence expectations for importers and retailers.

FAQ

Which species are most commonly meant by “herring” in global trade?The two main commercial species groups are Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in the North Atlantic and Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in the North Pacific, which align with the core regions where global herring supply is sourced.
Why is fresh herring trade more regional than some other seafood products?Fresh (chilled) herring has a short shelf-life window and is highly sensitive to temperature and handling, so long-distance shipment is harder to manage economically and consistently; much of the longer-distance herring trade is therefore shipped as frozen or processed products.
What is the biggest risk that can disrupt global herring availability?Wild stock availability and fisheries management decisions are the main disruptors: quota changes, access arrangements, and climate-driven shifts in stock distribution can quickly tighten supply and increase price volatility, which is especially impactful for fresh product that cannot be stored for long.

Fresh Herring Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices

Explore country-level Fresh Herring market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.

Related Fresh Herring Product Categories

Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Fresh Herring.
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