Frozen Atlantic Mackerel – Wholesale Supplier & Exporter (Scomber scombrus)
ATC Group supplies frozen Atlantic mackerel to importers, wholesalers and fish smokers. In Nigeria it is one of the fish sold as "titus". We are a trading company: we buy from approved freezing plants and vessels and deliver in full 40ft reefer containers. We source Scomber scombrus from Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland. The fish is caught in the North-East Atlantic (FAO 27), frozen whole in blocks on board or on shore, and packed in 20 kg net cartons. It comes in weight grades from 200 g to 600 g and above, or in length grades. Every offer states the origin, fishing season, size, glazing, net weight and loading details. The approval number is indicated on the health certificate.
Key facts
| Species or cut | Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Titus, alaran, scumbia (Nigeria) |
| Size or weight per piece | 200–400 g, 300–500 g, 400–600 g, 500 g and above, 600 g and above (on request); or 20+, 23+, 25+ cm |
| Packing and carton weight | 20 kg net carton |
| Cartons and tonnes per 40ft | 40ft reefer, about 27 t net, i.e. 1,350 cartons of 20 kg (25–27.5 t depending on packing) |
| Origin | Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland |
| Approval | Indicated on the health certificate |
| Shelf life | 12 to 24 months at -18 °C, depending on the plant |
| Temperature | -18 °C or below, often -20 to -22 °C for long transits; 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 mackerel (Scomber scombrus), whole round, not gutted, 100 % mackerel. It is the fattest mackerel and the reference fish for smoking.
- Fat and season: the autumn–winter catch has about 20–28 % fat, up to about 30 % at the autumn peak in Norway. The spring catch is leaner (about 8–12 %). The actual level is confirmed for each lot.
- Fishing seasons: Iceland, July to September; Norway, August to November, then January–February; Faroe Islands, autumn and winter.
- Size grades: 200–400 g, 300–500 g, 400–600 g, 500 g and above, 600 g and above (limited, on request); or 20+, 23+, 25+ cm. 300/500 g is the best-selling size in West Africa; 200/400 g suits retail and frying, 400/600 g suits smoking.
- Volumes in 2026: North-East Atlantic mackerel quotas were cut deeply for 2026, so volumes are tighter. Book early in the season.
- What to check: glazing, stated in writing in the offer; net weight, which excludes the glaze; off-grade tolerance, set in the contract (typically below 10 % per carton); histamine test per lot, on request.
Specifications
| Species | Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Titus, alaran, scumbia (Nigeria) |
| Presentation | Whole round, 100 % mackerel |
| Origins | Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland |
| Fishing area | North-East Atlantic (FAO 27) |
| Fishing method | Pelagic trawl |
| Fishing season | Iceland: July to September; Norway: August to November, then January–February; Faroe Islands: autumn and winter |
| Size grades | 200–400 g, 300–500 g, 400–600 g, 500 g and above, 600 g and above (on request); or 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 |
| Container | 40ft reefer, about 27 t net, i.e. 1,350 cartons of 20 kg (25–27.5 t depending on packing) |
| Temperature | -18 °C or below, often -20 to -22 °C for long transits; data logger on request |
| Shelf life | 12 to 24 months at -18 °C, depending on the plant |
| Carton marking | Species, fishing area, size, production date, plant approval number |
| Histamine | Laboratory test per lot, on request |
| Approval | Indicated on the health certificate |
| HS code | 0303 54 10 (EU Combined Nomenclature) |
| 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 mackerel. Tell us the origin you prefer, the size and the port: we send a firm offer. Offers follow catches and freight, so a firm offer is valid for a few days only. 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
- 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
- Côte d'Ivoire: CIF Abidjan · Côte d'Ivoire
- Ghana: CIF Tema · Ghana
- 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 mackerel the "titus" sold in Nigeria?
"Titus" is the Nigerian market name for frozen mackerel. It can be Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) or, more often at mass-market prices, chub mackerel. Our offers always give the species and its Latin name.
Where does your Atlantic mackerel come from?
From Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland, depending on the lot offered. It is caught in the North-East Atlantic (FAO 27).
When is mackerel fattest?
In autumn and winter: about 20–28 % fat, up to about 30 % at the autumn peak in Norway. In spring it drops to about 8–12 %. The actual level is confirmed for each lot.
Which sizes do you offer?
200–400 g, 300–500 g, 400–600 g, 500 g and above, and 600 g and above on request; or 20+, 23+ and 25+ cm.
How is it packed and loaded?
Block frozen, in 20 kg net cartons. A 40ft reefer holds about 27 t net, i.e. 1,350 cartons (25–27.5 t depending on packing).
What is the glazing?
It is stated in writing in each offer. The declared net weight excludes the glaze.
What is the shelf life?
12 to 24 months at -18 °C, depending on the plant. A histamine test per lot is available on request.
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.