Herring Suppliers
Find herring suppliers for your specification, preferred origin and buying volume.
Herring suppliers include fishing vessels, primary processors who head and gut at sea or onshore, and secondary processors producing fillets or other value-added forms. Choose the route that fits your order: a defined catch for immediate processing, a contracted seasonal supply or a processed form like fillets or brined herring.
Specify the traded form, such as whole fresh herring or fillets, quantity, delivery country and intended use. We can help you through OpenCommo’s network of 70,000+ suppliers across commodities.
Where our suppliers are located
Explore sourcing locations across our herring supplier network. Choose your preferred country below to find suppliers for your specification and shipment size.
Explore herring suppliers
Find suppliers for your required product form, grade and shipment size. Choose an origin to start your request.
| Supplier | Country | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Tena***** |  Denmark | Email availablePhone available |
| FOSN***** |  Norway | Email availablePhone available |
| Swed***** |  Sweden | Email availablePhone available |
| Kala***** |  Finland | Email availablePhone available |
| Corn***** |  Netherlands (Kingdom of the) | Email availablePhone available |
What to look for when sourcing herring
Product specification
Whole herring for salting or smoking and fresh fillets for retail need different specifications. Start with the end use and the processing steps your buyer requires.
Form & size
State whether you need whole fish (headed and gutted or round), fillets or other cuts. Agree size grading, such as count per kilogram or weight range, and whether the fish is fresh or chilled.
Freshness and condition
Define acceptable sensory indicators like smell, flesh firmness and gaping, plus temperature and any additive use, such as ice or approved preservatives.
Traceability
Confirm the catch area, vessel and landing date. Ask for the lot identity or batch code for traceability from vessel to your dock.
Quality acceptance
Quality for herring depends on freshness, fat content and visual condition. Agree how the sample represents the shipment and how the fish will be assessed.
Sensory evaluation
Set criteria for smell, color, flesh texture and fat content. Establish a scoring system for defects like panels, skin damage or parasites.
Temperature and handling
Specify the temperature range from catch to delivery and the time limits for chilling. Ensure the cold chain is maintained and verified.
Acceptance and claims
Identify whether the sample is a pre-shipment or landing sample. Retain the approved sample and agree inspection responsibilities and claim deadlines.
Origin requirements
Herring stocks have regional characteristics and management measures. Establish the preferred fishing grounds, the quota status and the season to ensure you get the right supply.
Fishing area
Name the FAO area and the sea or subarea, such as the North Sea or the Baltic Sea. Confirm the vessel is authorized to fish in that area.
Catch season
Ask the season and time of capture, as fat content and flesh quality vary by time of year. Specify the catch window and how this affects your intended processing or sales.
Sustainability status
If your buyer or destination requires an ecolabel or MSC certification, request the current certificate and the chain-of-custody evidence for the lot.
Commercial terms
Herring is often traded on a per-tonne basis, but the delivery point and weight determination affect the total price. Compare offers on the same basis.
- Weight and units
- Agree the unit of trade (e.g., tonnes) and the weight determination method: whole fish drained weight, fillet weight or head-on vs. head-off. Clarify any yield percentage for processed forms.
- Delivery terms
- Set the Incoterm and named location, such as ex-vessel, FOB at a port or DAP to your facility. Align freight, insurance and cold-chain charges.
- Payment and scheduling
- Match payment terms, quantity flexibility and landing or delivery windows. Confirm how the seasonal catch is allocated if supply is uncertain.
Documentation & compliance
Check documents against the shipment’s actual identity and the destination’s rules. The evidence must tie the catch to the vessel and the lot.
- Fisheries documents
- Align the vessel name, registration, catch certificate and landing declaration with the invoice and packing list.
- Chain of custody
- For ecolabeled or certified herring, ensure you have the certificate, chain-of-custody documentation and lot references covering the product.
- Import rules
- For the EU, verify the catch certificate and the EU requirements for fisheries products. For other destinations, check import permits and any health or traceability rules.
Supplier capability
A vessel, primary processor, and distributor each play a different role. Confirm who is responsible for handling, storage and quality control throughout your supply.
Role and services
Identify if you buy directly from a vessel, a wholesaler dealing in whole fish or a processor supplying fillets. Clarify which services, e.g., icing, packing, grading, are performed where.
Capacity and seasonality
Ask how the supplier manages seasonal peaks and interruptions. Verify ability to supply your volume and frequency, including during closed seasons or adverse weather.
Quality and cold chain
Confirm the supplier’s handling practices from catch to delivery, including temperature logs and any audits. Establish who resolves a quality or weight claim.
Herring Supplier Questions
- How do I find herring suppliers in a preferred fishing area?
- Start by specifying the herring species, traded form and volume. OpenCommo helps automate sourcing through its supplier network.
- Should I buy whole herring from a vessel or a processor?
- A vessel or primary processor supplies whole fresh catch, while a secondary processor supplies fillets or value-added forms. Choose based on your processing needs and delivery requirements.
- What should I include in a herring quotation request?
- Specify the traded form (round, headed and gutted or fillets), size grade, quantity and delivery location. Include the fishing area, season and any quality or certification requirements.
- How do I compare wholesale herring offers?
- Compare the same form, size grade, weight determination and delivery basis. For fresh herring, assess the catch date, temperature history and proximity to landing.
- How should I assess a herring sample?
- Examine the fish for freshness indicators and fat content, and keep it cold. Assess the shipment upon arrival for temperature and condition, not just the sample.
- How can I check a herring supplier before signing a contract?
- Check the vessel licence and landing documents, and confirm the supplier’s cold-chain capability. Put the specification, delivery schedule, payment terms and quality-claim process in the contract.