Frozen Atlantic Chub Mackerel – Wholesale Supplier & Exporter (Scomber colias)
ATC Group supplies frozen Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias), also traded as Spanish mackerel, to importers and wholesalers in West and Central Africa. In Nigeria it is often sold as "titus". We are a trading company: we buy from selected plants and vessels and deliver in full 40ft reefer containers. Our main origins are Morocco and Mauritania, with complementary supply from Portugal and Spain. The fish is frozen whole in blocks, on board or on shore. It is graded by length, from 16+ to 25+ cm, and packed in 20 or 30 kg net cartons. Every offer states the origin, fishing area, size, glazing, net weight and loading details. The approval number is indicated on the health certificate.
Key facts
| Species or cut | Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Spanish mackerel; maquereau espagnol (French); often sold as titus or maquereau in West Africa |
| Size or weight per piece | 16+, 20+, 23+, 25+ cm |
| Packing and carton weight | 20 kg net carton (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks) or 30 kg net carton (three 10 kg blocks) |
| Cartons and tonnes per 40ft | 40ft reefer, about 27 t net: 1,350 cartons of 20 kg or 900 cartons of 30 kg (25–27.5 t depending on packing) |
| Origin | Morocco, Mauritania; complementary supply from Portugal and Spain |
| Approval | Indicated on the health certificate |
| Shelf life | 12 to 24 months at -18 °C |
| Temperature | -18 °C or below; data logger on request |
| Lead time | 10–21 days after receipt of the bank transfer |
| Incoterms | CIF, CFR, FOB |
| Documents | Health certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin ; Catch certificate (IUU) where the destination requires it ; Certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading ; Histamine test per lot on request ; Technical sheet (PDF) downloadable on this page ; Pre-shipment inspection by SGS or Bureau Veritas on request, with container temperature record. For Cameroon it is mandatory, and we arrange it for every container. |
| Inspection | SGS or Bureau Veritas on request |
| Minimum order | One full container |
Product photos
What you are buying
- The fish: Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias), whole round, not gutted. Its flesh is firmer than Atlantic mackerel. It has about 10–16 % fat and suits frying and sauces.
- A common "titus": much of the mackerel sold at mass-market prices in West Africa is chub mackerel, including Scomber colias. Our offers always give the species and its Latin name.
- Size grades: 16+, 20+, 23+ and 25+ cm. The grade is set in the offer, with the expected pieces per kg.
- Origins and seasons: Mauritania, available year-round; Morocco, with a winter biological rest for small pelagic fish (in 2025–26, from 4 November to 15 February); Portugal and Spain as complementary supply. Mauritania is a key origin for Abidjan and Tema.
- Packing: 20 kg net carton (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks) or 30 kg net carton (three 10 kg blocks).
- What to check: glazing and net weight, the maximum share of undersized fish per carton, and the production date.
Specifications
| Species | Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Spanish mackerel; maquereau espagnol (French); often sold as titus or maquereau in West Africa |
| Presentation | Whole round |
| Origins | Morocco, Mauritania; complementary supply from Portugal and Spain |
| Fishing areas | Eastern Central Atlantic (FAO 34); North-East Atlantic (FAO 27) for Iberian origin |
| Season | Available year-round in Mauritania; Morocco: winter biological rest |
| Size grades | 16+, 20+, 23+, 25+ cm |
| Freezing | Frozen on board or on shore, in blocks |
| Glazing / net weight | Stated in writing in each offer; the net weight excludes the glaze |
| Packing | 20 kg net carton (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks) or 30 kg net carton (three 10 kg blocks) |
| Container | 40ft reefer, about 27 t net: 1,350 cartons of 20 kg or 900 cartons of 30 kg (25–27.5 t depending on packing) |
| Temperature | -18 °C or below; data logger on request |
| Shelf life | 12 to 24 months at -18 °C |
| Approval | Indicated on the health certificate |
| HS code | 0303 54 (EU Combined Nomenclature: 0303 54 10, confirmed in each offer) |
| Lead time | 10–21 days after receipt of the bank transfer |
| Incoterms | CIF, CFR, FOB |
Documents supplied
- Health certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin
- Catch certificate (IUU) where the destination requires it
- Certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Histamine test per lot on request
- Technical sheet (PDF) downloadable on this page
- Pre-shipment inspection by SGS or Bureau Veritas on request, with container temperature record. For Cameroon it is mandatory, and we arrange it for every container.
Ordering
The minimum order is one full 40ft container. One container can combine several size grades of Atlantic chub mackerel. Tell us the size, the carton (20 or 30 kg) and the port: we send a firm offer, valid for a few days, because offers follow catches and freight. Payment is agreed for each contract. See also "How to buy".
Trade terms
Incoterms
CIF / CFR / FOB
Minimum order
One full container load (FCL)
Inspection
Pre-shipment inspection by SGS available at the buyer's request (quality, quantity, temperature).
Markets served
- Côte d'Ivoire: CIF Abidjan · Côte d'Ivoire
- Ghana: CIF Tema · Ghana
- Nigeria: CFR Lagos or Onne (CIF on request), wild-caught fish only. The importer holds the fish import licence and allocation and the NAFDAC authorisation to open Form M; the fish must stay at -18 °C or below. · Nigeria
- Cameroon: CIF Douala or Kribi, SGS inspection included · Cameroon
- Togo: CIF Lomé · Togo
- Benin: CIF Cotonou · Benin
- Senegal: CIF Dakar · Senegal
- Guinea: CIF Conakry
- Burkina Faso: via Abidjan, Tema or Lomé, then road transit arranged by the importer
Related products
Frequently asked questions
Is Atlantic chub mackerel also called Spanish mackerel?
Yes. Scomber colias is also traded as Spanish mackerel, and as « maquereau espagnol » in French. The scientific name on the offer identifies the species unambiguously.
Is it sold as "titus"?
Often, yes. In Nigeria "titus" means frozen mackerel, and much of the mackerel sold at mass-market prices is chub mackerel. Our offers always give the species and its Latin name.
Where is it sourced?
Mainly from Morocco and Mauritania, with complementary supply from Portugal and Spain.
Is it available throughout the year?
Yes in Mauritania, subject to the lot offered. In Morocco, small pelagic fishing stops in winter for the biological rest.
Which sizes do you offer?
16+, 20+, 23+ and 25+ cm.
How is it packed and loaded?
Block frozen, in 20 kg net cartons (one 20 kg block or two 10 kg blocks) or 30 kg net cartons (three 10 kg blocks). A 40ft reefer holds about 27 t net: 1,350 cartons of 20 kg or 900 cartons of 30 kg.
What fat content can I expect?
About 10–16 %. The actual level is confirmed for each lot. Shelf life is 12 to 24 months at -18 °C.
Do you ship to Nigeria?
Yes, CFR Lagos or Onne (CIF on request), wild-caught fish only, when the importer holds the import licence, its allocation and the NAFDAC authorisation for Form M. We supply the health certificate and the commercial documents.