China's September Seafood Imports Show Surge in Pollock, Steady Shrimp Supply
China's September Seafood Imports Show Surge in Pollock, Steady Shrimp Supply
China's seafood import market displayed distinct trends in September 2025, with a dramatic month-on-month surge in pollock shipments complementing steady volumes of frozen white shrimp, according to recently released customs data.
The General Administration of Customs published statistics for the first nine months of the year, providing a detailed picture of the two key seafood categories.
Frozen White Shrimp: Steady Volumes and a Shifting Supply Base
Data indicates that cumulative imports of frozen white shrimp into China from January to September 2025 totalled 656,795 tonnes, valued at US$3.411 billion, underscoring a robust scale of supply.
The monthly figure for September alone reached 64,879 tonnes, ensuring sustained replenishment for the market.
An analysis of the supplier landscape reveals a solidifying hierarchy with one notable change. Ecuador remained the core supplier, accounting for 72% of the total import volume and continuing its dominance in the Chinese market.
However, India demonstrated remarkable growth, with its share of supply rising significantly from 12% in August to 20% in the cumulative data for January-September, firmly establishing itself as the second-largest supplier. The remaining share was filled by a range of other nations, including Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina, creating a diversified supply system.
Pollock Imports: A Month of Dramatic Growth
In contrast to the steady shrimp market, the pollock sector experienced a month of sharp increases in September.
Cumulative cod imports - predominantly Alaska pollock - for the first three quarters reached 491,501 tonnes, with a value of US$684.59 million.
A breakdown of the key product categories highlights September's exceptional performance:
• Frozen Alaska Pollock: Imports for this category surged to 56,920 tonnes in September. This represents a substantial increase of 89.4% compared to the previous month and a rise of 51.41% year-on-year. From January to September, China imported 457,581 tonnes of frozen Alaska pollock, which accounts for 93.1% of all cod imports in the period.
• Frozen Alaska Pollock Fillets: September imports also saw a dramatic uptick, reaching 1,744 tonnes. This figure marks a month-on-month surge of 137.99% and a year-on-year increase of 46.78%. The cumulative total for this product from January to September was 7,786 tonnes.
The supplier base for pollock remained highly concentrated. Russia and the United States collectively contributed 99.9% of the total import volume.
Russia was the overwhelming dominant source, supplying 464,800 tonnes from January to September, which accounts for 94.6% of all cod imports. This consisted of 433,400 tonnes of frozen Alaska pollock and 6,695 tonnes of frozen Alaska pollock fillets.
The United States, as a secondary source, supplied 25,900 tonnes during the same period, accounting for 5.3% of the total. This was comprised of 23,500 tonnes of frozen Alaska pollock and 1,090 tonnes of frozen Alaska pollock fillets.