Pelagic Fish

Pelagics are a volume trade with distinct seasonal availability and a strong role in both direct consumption and processing. Herring, mackerel and capelin are bought whole frozen, in size grades, with the grade doing most of the commercial work.

The attributes that matter are size grade consistency, fat content, which varies through the season and affects both eating quality and processing yield, and freshness at freezing, since pelagics deteriorate faster than groundfish.

Capelin carries an additional distinction between male and female fish, with roe-bearing females priced differently for specific markets. State which you are buying.

Season determines availability more sharply here than in most categories, so programmes should be contracted against the fishery calendar, not the buying calendar.