According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), China produced over 1.5 million metric tons of mackerel in 2018, which includes both Pacific mackerel and other mackerel species. Pacific mackerel is mostly caught in the offshore waters of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, including the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and Sea of Japan. The Chinese mackerel fishery has undergone significant changes in recent years, with improvements in fishing technologies, expansion of fishing grounds, and increased market demand for mackerel products. The Chinese government has also introduced policies to promote sustainable fisheries management and reduce excessive fishing efforts.

   Chinese mackerel products are exported to many countries, including Japan, South Korea, European Union, and the United States. These products include frozen and canned mackerel, as well as value-added products such as smoked and marinated mackerel.