Export and import of fish in Russia

Export of food and agricultural raw materials from Russia

Main article: Export of food and agricultural raw materials from Russia

Fishing industry of Russia

Main article: Fishing industry of Russia

2025

5 leading countries for the supply of fish and seafood to Russia

At the end of 2025, Russian imports of fish and seafood increased by 3% in physical volume and by 7% in value terms. The total supply reached 680 thousand tons in the amount of $3.1 billion. These statistics, based on data from customs services of foreign countries, are given in the Telegram channel of the analytical center of the Fish Union on January 29, 2026.

The largest suppliers to Russia in 2025 were:

1. Belarus: share of 16% in physical terms and 11% in value. Deliveries amounted to 112 thousand tons in the amount of $336 million, reduced by 3% and 8%, respectively. The main products: products from surimi (crab sticks), herring preserves, capelin caviar, slightly salted trout, smoked herring and mackerel, preserves from crustaceans and mollusks.
2. China: 14% share in weight and 13% in money. Imports grew by 14% in physical terms and by 11% in value, to 96 thousand tons in the amount of $410 million. Key categories: mackerel ice cream, aquaculture trout, saira, dried squid, mussel ice cream, tuna canned food and fried eel fillet.
3. Turkey: Share 11% in weight and 16% in money. Deliveries increased by 4% in tonnage and by 13% in value, to 75 thousand tons in the amount of $482 million. Main products: ice cream and chilled aquaculture trout, seabass and dorado.
4. Chile: 9% share in weight and 11% in money. Deliveries showed a sharp increase of 28% in physical terms and 35% in value, up to 64 thousand tons in the amount of $350 million. Key products: aquaculture salmon and coho salmon ice cream, fillet of them, cooked-ice cream mussels, mackerel ice cream.
5. Vietnam: 8% share in weight and 7% in money. Imports increased by 8% in tonnage, but decreased by 7% in value, to 57 thousand tons in the amount of $215 million. The basis of supplies: ice cream fillet pangasius, tilapia, tuna. Surimi, ice cream pangasius, buttery, dried-cured yellow minke and anchovy, and vannamei shrimp are also supplied.

The largest suppliers of fish and seafood to the Russian market

According to operational data, the catch by Russian fishermen in 2025 amounted to almost 4.7 million tons, which is 5.6% lower than in 2024. Imported products ensure the physical and economic availability of demanded goods, expand the range, create competition and serve as a raw material base for domestic processing.^[1]

Imports of fish to Russia for the year increased by 7% and reached $3.1 billion

Russia in 2025 imported fish and seafood worth $3.1 billion. The indicator increased by 7% compared to the level of 2024. This is reported by the Fish Union, which analyzed the data of foreign customs services in January 2026.

As Interfax reports, in physical terms, the import increased by 3% and amounted to 680 thousand tons. The five largest suppliers of fish products to Russia were distributed as follows:

• Belarus - 16% in physical terms and 11% in value (112 thousand tons for $336 million);
• China - 14% in physical terms and 13% in value (96 thousand tons for $410 million);
• Turkey - 11% in physical terms and 16% in value (75 thousand tons for $482 million);
• Chile - 9% in physical terms and 11% in value (64 thousand tons for $350 million);
• Vietnam - 8% in physical terms and 7% in value (57 thousand tons for $215 million).

Belarus retains leadership in terms of supply. However, imports from the republic decreased by 3% in kind and by 8% in value terms. Belarusian producers supplied products from surimi, herring preserves, capelin caviar, lightly salted trout, smoked herring and mackerel.

Over the year, fish imports to Russia increased by 7%, amounting to $3.1 billion

China ranks second in the ranking of suppliers. Imports from the PRC increased by 14% in kind and by 11% in value terms. Mackerel ice cream, aquaculture trout, saira, dried squid, mussel ice cream and tuna canned food were purchased from the Chinese market.

Turkey closes the top three. Deliveries from this country increased by 4% in kind and by 13% in value terms. The main products are ice cream and chilled aquaculture trout, seabass and dorado.

Chile has shown the most significant momentum among major suppliers. Imports from the South American country rose 28% in kind and 35% in value.

Vietnam ranks fifth among exporters. Deliveries rose 8% in tonnage and 7% in money.^[2]

Russia increased its annual exports of fish and seafood to Japan by 11%. It reached almost $1 billion

Russia increased annual exports of fish and seafood to Japan to $952 million. The figure is 11% higher than in 2024. In physical terms, supplies increased by 9% and reached 118 thousand tons. This was announced in January 2026 by the Fish Union. The export of pollock ice cream grew 2.1 times to 1.7 thousand tons; 2.3 times in monetary terms to $3 million - the growth was due to the low base of 2024. Shipments of pollock caviar increased by 3% and amounted to 22 thousand tons, reducing in value by 3% to $109 million. Read more here

Growth in fish exports from Russia by 14% to $6 billion

The export of fish and seafood from Russia at the end of 2025 amounted to $6 billion. The indicator increased by 14% in value terms relative to the level of 2024. This is evidenced by the calculations of the analytical center of the Fish Union based on data from customs services of foreign countries, published on January 30, 2026.

According to TASS, in physical terms, supplies remained at the level of 2024 and amounted to 2.1 million tons. The growth of exports in monetary terms while maintaining the volume of supplies in kind indicates an increase in the share of highly processed products. The share of fish fillet and surimi in Russian fish and seafood exports increased from 10% in 2024 to 13% in 2025.

Fish exports from Russia grew by 14% and reached $6 billion. The largest importing countries

The largest importing countries of Russian fish and seafood in 2025:

• China - $3.4 billion (57% in value terms), 1.2 million tons, an increase of 13% in money with a decrease of 6% in volume;
• Japan - $952 million (16% in value terms), 118 thousand tons, an increase of 10% in money and 9% in volume;
• Republic of Korea - $944 million (16% in value terms), 271 thousand tons, an increase of 5% in money with a decrease of 3% in volume.

According to Nikolai Mochalov, an analyst at the Fish Union, export growth in monetary terms exceeded preliminary forecasts due to the successful situation for pollock in world markets. The increase in the share of export supplies of deep processing fish products is associated with an increase in its output. In 2025, the production of pollock fillet added 26% and reached 102 thousand tons. Production of Pacific herring fillet increased by 17% to 74 thousand tons. The production of surimi and minced pollock increased by 27% to 93 thousand tons.

Nikolai Mochalov explains the dynamics of supplies in physical terms by the unsuccessful Putin in iwasi. Catch decreased more than nine times compared to 2024 and amounted to about 60 thousand tons.^[3][4]

Russia increased annual exports of crabs and shrimp by 13% to $2 billion

The volume of crustacean exports from Russia in 2025 exceeded 91 thousand tons. The reporting data for 11 months of 2025, provided in January 2026 by the federal center "Agroexport" based on the statistics of the Eurasian Economic Union, indicate an increase in supplies by 10% compared to the same period in 2024. The value of exports amounted to more than $2 billion, an increase of 13%.

According to the report, fresh or chilled crabs with a share of about $1.5 billion dominate the export structure in terms of value. Ice cream crabs (over $500 million) and shrimp ice cream (over $86 million) also occupy significant positions. The key importer of Russian products is China, which purchased goods worth more than $1.2 billion in 2025.

Annual exports of Russian crab and shrimp grew by 13%, amounting to $2 billion

German Zverev, President of the All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE), confirmed Russia's leadership in the premium segment of the global crab market. Independent expert Ruslan Pichugin pointed out that state programs, including subsidies for the construction of ships, modernization of enterprises and tax incentives for mining and processing companies, contribute to the development of the industry.

However, the industry faces systemic difficulties. German Zverev noted the extremely high credit burden of companies, which exceeds 600 billion rubles. The profitability of the business, according to the expert, decreased due to a decrease in export prices in 2023 and 2024, which was affected by sanctions restrictions and the effect of the export duty.

Zverev added: the growth of crab production in the Russian Federation is limited by natural factors, so the main task for exporters is to increase the cost of supplies while maintaining physical volumes. Alexander Fomin, Executive Director of the Association of Fish Market Production and Trade Enterprises, claims that without the development of new markets or a return to the situation lost as a result of sanctions, there will be no significant improvement in the situation.^[5][6]

Export of fish from China to Russia became a record since 2015

By the end of 2025, China increased fish imports to the Russian market to $188.3 million. This indicator is the highest since 2015. This is evidenced by the data of the Chinese customs service, released in January 2026. Read more here.

2024

Growth in the supply of crustaceans to China by 7% to $1.3 billion

In 2024, Russia exported China $1.3 billion worth of crustaceans. This is 7% more than a year earlier. According to the federal center, which "Agroexport" was published on January 21, 2025, citing data from the Main Customs Administration, the China volume of supplies reached an all-time high. Russia ranked second among the main suppliers of crustaceans to China, giving way to leadership To Ecuador with an indicator of $3.1 billion. In third place was Canada with $970 million.

According to RBC, the main Asian markets, including China, South Korea and Japan, remain the main buyers of Russian crab. China ranks first with a share of over 50%, South Korea second and Japan third. Exports of live crab to China for the nine months of 2024 increased by 5.1%, amounting to 32.1 thousand tons. At the same time, the volume of supplies of frozen and canned products decreased by 7.7% to 24.9 thousand tons.

Russia delivered a record $1.3 billion of crustaceans to China in 2024

According to this publication, until 2022, one of the largest sales markets for Russian crab products was the United States, which accounted for up to half of all exports. However, after the introduction of a ban on the supply of crabs from Russia caused by international sanctions, the volume of supplies decreased significantly. Despite this, Russian fishermen managed to maintain their positions in Asian markets and increase supplies to China, which now occupies a key place in the export structure.

The All-Russian Association of Fishery Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters expects that the volume of crab exports in physical terms by the end of 2024 will remain at the level of the previous year - 83.9 thousand tons. This is due to the continuing reorientation to Asian markets, as well as to high world prices for premium types of crustaceans.^[7]

Russia increased its annual imports of fish from Iran by a quarter. Supply Structure

In 2024, Russia imported about 20 thousand tons of fish and seafood from Iran. This is a quarter - 25% - more than the previous year. Such data were released on January 20, 2025 by the Fish Union think tank, citing statistics from the European Fisheries and Aquaculture Market Monitoring Service (EUMOFA). Read more here.

Russia increased fish supplies to China by 1.5 times to $86.1 million

The State Customs Service of China recorded an increase in purchases of fillet and fish meat from Russia by 1.5 times to $86.1 million in 2024, reaching the maximum figure since 2015. TAdviser got acquainted with such data in January 2025.

According to Prime, the main share in exports was ice cream fillet and pollock meat in the amount of $84 million. Deliveries of frozen fish decreased by 17% to $1.308 billion, including pollock - $479.3 million, cod - $389.2 million and sardines - $135.2 million.

Russia increased fish supplies to China to a 9-year high

Crustacean exports increased by 7% to $1.305 billion, of which fresh crabs accounted for $1.14 billion, ice cream crabs - $91.1 million, ice cream shrimp - $71.7 million.

Additionally, Russian companies exported fish flour to China for $1.3 million, aquatic invertebrates - $796 thousand and fresh or chilled fish - $110 thousand.

The total export of seafood from Russia to China reached $2.74 billion, - emphasizes the state customs service of the People's Republic of China.

According to the publication, Russia ranked second among seafood suppliers to China. Ecuador holds the first place with an indicator of $3.12 billion. The top five also included Canada - $1.25 billion, Vietnam - $1.18 billion and India - $1.15 billion.

The increase in the export of fish products to China is taking place as part of the development of trade and economic cooperation between the countries. Russian companies are expanding the range of products supplied, paying special attention to deep processing of fish and seafood. This approach meets the growing demand for finished products in the Chinese market and contributes to the increase in the value added of exports.^[8]

Russia entered the top five countries in the import of Chilean salmon

The All-Russian Association of Fishers (VARPE) in January 2025 announced Russia's preservation of its position in the top 5 importers of Chilean red fish in 2024, purchasing 32.25 thousand tons of salmon and trout, of which 21.1 thousand tons were salmon.

According to TASS, the volume of supplies of Chilean salmon to Russia decreased by one and a half times compared to 2023, reaching a 12-year minimum. At the same time, purchases of coho increased by 31%, reaching 5.8 thousand tons, and trout - by 4%, amounting to 4.9 thousand tons.

Russia entered the top 5 in the import of Chilean semga

VARPE President German Zverev noted that Chile is one of the main suppliers of red fish to Russia, with more than 70% of supplies over the past ten years accounted for salmon.

Chile, along with Norway, has a leading position in salmon farming, providing 80% of global production. In 2024, Chilean producers put on the world market more than 782 thousand tons of salmon and trout with a total value of $6.37 billion.

According to VARPE, Russia is the largest producer of Pacific salmon, specializing in the catch of pink salmon, chum salmon and sockeye salmon. In 2024, not only Russia reduced purchases of Chilean red fish - a similar trend was observed in supplies to the United States and China.

VARPE experts pointed out that Turkish producers are becoming the main suppliers of trout to the Russian market due to competitive prices and a short logistics shoulder. At the same time, Chilean coho salmon has limited prospects for replacing salmon in Russian imports due to rising prices and low popularity among the mass consumer.

Over the past five years, imports of salmon to Russia have approximately halved. Compared to the peak of 2015, the supply of Chilean salmon decreased by 2.5 times. Exports of red fish, which for a long time occupied the second place after copper in the structure of Chilean exports, in 2024 lost this position to fruits.^[9]

Growth in fish exports to Vietnam by 1.8 times to $28 million

In 2024, the Russian Federation exported fish and seafood to Vietnam by almost $28 million, which is 1.8 times more than in 2023. In physical terms, the volume of exports remained at the same level - about 5 thousand tons. This was announced in May 2025 by the federal center "Agroexport" with reference to the assessments of experts. Crustaceans became the growth driver: their exports grew 2.2 times, exceeding $18 million. Deliveries of frozen fish (salmon, sockeye salmon, sardines, pollock, halibut, cod, etc.) increased from $5.8 million to almost $8 million.^[10]

Growth of fish oil exports from Russia by 51% to 20 thousand tons

According to the Analysis of the Fish Oil Market in Russia, prepared by BusinesStat in September 2025, in 2024 its exports from the country increased by 51% and reached 20 thousand tons. Domestic producers have the opportunity to significantly increase export supplies of fats and oils from fish.

This is facilitated by: significant volumes of aquatic biological resources, the location of the main region of fishing and fish processing (Far Eastern Federal District) in close proximity to the main consumer markets (China and South Korea), active renewal and expansion of production capacities thanks to the construction of fish processing plants and vessels under the investment quota program.^[11]

Russia ranked third among the world's largest exporters of fish fillet

The All-Russian Association of Fisheries (VARPE) in May 2025 reported that by the end of 2024, Russia ranked third among the world's largest exporters of fish fillet with a supply of 161 thousand tons. The total production of fish fillet in Russia in 2024 exceeded 243 thousand tons, which is 10% lower than the record year 2022.

According to RIA Novosti, the information is based on research data from the global ice cream filet market of the IndexBox analytical agency. According to this study, in 2024, global exports of fish fillet ice cream decreased by almost 5% to 2.6 million tons.

Russia entered the top three largest exporters of fish fillet. 10 Leading Countries

According to the results of 2024, the ten largest exporters of fish fillet in the world are as follows:

1. Vietnam - 648 thousand tons.
2. China - 508 thousand tons.
3. Russia - 161 thousand tons.
4. Norway - 152 thousand tons.
5. Chile - 152 thousand tons.
6. USA - 128 thousand tons.
7. Netherlands - 90 thousand tons.
8. Argentina - 72 thousand tons.
9. Namibia - 65 thousand tons.
10. Indonesia - 61 thousand tons.

VARPE noted that the main export markets for Russian ice cream fillet are European Union China and the Japan Republic of Korea. According to the customs statistics of these countries, the total supply amounted to about 150 thousand tons. Russia exports fillet to countries,,, CIS,, Great Britain, and Turkey Israel Georgia Thailand other Malaysia countries.

The head of VARPE German Zverev stressed that domestic fillet producers face serious pressure in the world market. Russian fillet has been sold for two years at a "sanction discount." The main consumption markets - the EU and the UK - introduced barrage duties on Russian products, and the growth in supply in secondary markets strengthened the bargaining power of buyers, allowing them to reduce purchase prices.

According to the head of VARPE, the authors of anti-Russian sanctions themselves found themselves in a difficult situation: processors of the UK and the EU faced a shortage of raw materials, a sharp increase in purchase prices for Norwegian and American counterparts and a decrease in retail demand.^[12]

Growth of annual fish exports to Malaysia by 35% to 4 thousand tons

In 2024, the Russian Federation supplied 4 thousand tons of fish and seafood to Malaysia, which is 35% more than in 2023. In value terms, supplies increased by 45%, to $6 million. This was announced in May 2025 by the Fish Union based on the analysis of data from the Malaysian customs service. As noted in the union, exports recovered after a threefold fall to the peak in 2021, when almost 10 thousand tons were exported for $9 million. The main export product is sardine iwasi ice cream - 95% of the supply.^[13]

Reduction in fish and seafood exports by 15% to $4.9 billion

The volume of exports of fish and seafood from Russia in 2024 decreased by more than 15% and amounted to $4.9 billion against $5.8 billion in 2023. In physical terms, exports exceeded 1.9 million tons of products, which also reflects a decrease from 2.5 million tons in 2023. This was announced on April 8, 2025 by the head of the Federal Agency for Fishery Ilya Shestakov.

According to TASS, the head of the Federal Agency for Fishery made this statement at an expanded meeting of the board of the department. He noted that the figures presented are based on statistics from the Federal Customs Service and Rosstat. Thus, exports in monetary terms decreased by 15.5%.

Exports of fish and seafood from Russia for the year decreased by 15% to $4.9 billion

Despite the decrease in supplies, Shestakov stressed that the geography of external supplies of Russian fish products continues to expand, despite the current anti-Russian sanctions. For 2025, the department is faced with the task of continuing systematic work to promote Russian fish in foreign markets with the participation of representative offices of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Agency for Fishery Abroad.

The head of the department noted that the priority in the export strategy will be the supply of products with high added value. This will increase the profitability of Russian fish exports even with smaller physical volumes of supplies.

In parallel with the reduction in exports in 2024, there was an increase in imports of fish products to Russia. According to the Federal Customs Service, imports of fish, fish products and seafood increased by 4.6% and amounted to 686 thousand tons. In monetary terms, imports reached about $3 billion.

Ilya Shestakov noted that Russia imports mainly those products that are not mined in Russian waters, are not produced by domestic enterprises or are produced in insufficient volume. "This allows you to diversify the assortment and maintain healthy competition in the domestic market," the head of the Federal Agency for Fishery emphasized.^[14]

Growth in the export of fish products from Russia to the EU

Russia increased the export of Pacific cod to the European Union in 2024 by 9 times to 2.6 thousand tons by 17 million euros. Purchases of pink salmon fillet by European countries increased 3.5 times to 17 million euros. Haddock sales rose 40% to €9m. The growth of exports of Far Eastern salmon amounted to 40% by 5 million euros. Such data in February 2025 leads the Analytical Center of the Fish Union, although earlier it was reported to reduce the sale of fish to the European Union to a minimum from 2021. Read more here

Russia has increased the export of frozen fish to the EU several times

In 2024, Russia increased the export of Pacific cod fillet ice cream to the EU by 9 times - to 2.6 thousand tons by 17 million euros. This is evidenced by the data of the Fish Union, published in February 2025.

Purchases of pink salmon fillet from Russia by European countries in 2024 increased to 3 thousand tons and 17 million euros. Sales of Russian haddock in the EU increased to 2 thousand tons by 9 million euros. The export of Far Eastern salmon increased to 1.5 thousand tons by 5 million euros. The share of fish fillet in Russian exports of fish and seafood in 2024 increased to 64% from 51% in 2021.

Russia ranked second in fish exports to South Korea with $897.5 million in supplies

The Federal Statistics Service of South Korea in early February 2025 published data according to which Russia ranked second in terms of fish and seafood exports to the country with a supply of $897.5 million, losing leadership to China.

According to RIA Novosti, Russian companies reduced exports by 17.2%, while China increased supplies by 3.7% to $1.06 billion. The total volume of seafood imports to South Korea decreased by 7.3% to $4.8 billion.

The Association of Shipowners of the Fishing Fleet reports that the structure of Russian exports is dominated by pollock ice cream, which makes up 70% of the total supply. In December 2024, exports of these products decreased by 39%, and the value fell by 42%.

High-margin products - fillet and minced pollock - account for 58.3% of South Korean imports worth $34.6 million. The United States occupies 41.6% of this market segment.

According to the Federal Statistics Service of South Korea, Vietnam closes the top three largest fish suppliers to South Korea, increasing exports by 2.1% to $570.1 million and overtaking Norway, whose supplies decreased by 3.2% to $545.7 million. The fifth place is occupied by the United States with a volume of $177 million, showing a decrease of 11%.

Experts of the Association of Shipowners of the Fishing Fleet note the prospects for increasing the supply of processed products to the South Korean market, which may allow Russia to strengthen its position in the segment of products with high added value.

The decrease in the supply of Russian fish products occurs against the background of a general reduction in seafood imports by South Korea to the lowest level since 2020.

In the structure of international trade in fish and seafood, the Asian region retains a leading position, and competition between suppliers in this market continues to intensify.^[15]

2023

Russia halves seafood shipments to South Korea but remains biggest exporter

At the end of 2023, Russia halved the supply of seafood to South Korea, but remained the largest exporter. This was announced in January 2024 by the head of the fisheries information agency Alexander Savelyev, citing data from South Korean customs statistics. Read more here.

Imports of salmon to Russia in 5 years halved to 44 thousand tons

In 2023, the volume of imports of Atlantic salmon (salmon) to Russia amounted to approximately 44 thousand tons. This is almost half the result that was recorded five years earlier. Such data are given in the materials of the Fish Union, published on April 18, 2024.

According to the Vedomosti newspaper, referring to the published statistics, since 2023, due to the current geopolitical situation, the supply of chilled fish to Russia has completely stopped: salmon carcasses without a head and fillet. In 2021, the import of these products into the Russian Federation amounted to more than 15 thousand tons and about 2500 tons, respectively. Before the imposition of sanctions, the main suppliers of refrigerated products were exporters from the Faroe Islands and from Norway.

The volume of imports of Atlantic salmon (salmon) to Russia amounted to approximately 44 thousand tons

Against this background, the share of imported salmon in the Russian market has sharply decreased. If in 2018 it reached almost 90%, then at the end of 2023 the figure was 35%. According to the Fish Union, all imported products come to Russia from Chile.

Market participants attribute the decline in salmon imports to several factors. In addition to Western sanctions, import substitution and high prices are named among them. In the current situation, Russian aquaculture enterprises were able to replace part of their imported products. Thus, leading industry players are building vertically integrated production in the Russian Federation, increasing the volume and setting up the production of feed and resin (salmon fry).

In the face of declining supplies of imported Atlantic salmon Russia , it increases the import of other species of fish and seafood. According to analysts, in Rosrybolovstvo 2023, the total volume of imports increased by 18% compared to the previous year and reached approximately 656 thousand tons. Key suppliers, in addition, Chile are,,,, and China Vietnam. Ecuador In Belarus India five Peru^[16]

Russia increased annual fish exports by 12% to 2.2 million tons

Russia increased fish exports in 2023 by 12% compared to 2022 - up to 2.2 million tons. This is evidenced by the data of the Federal Agency for Fishery, published on February 12, 2024. Read more here.

Russia exported a record $2.9 billion worth of fish to China over the year

The export of Russian fish to China in 2023 reached a record $2.9 billion. This is evidenced by the data of the Agroexport center under the Ministry of Agriculture, published at the end of March 2024, which refers to the statistics of the ITC Trade organization. Read more here.

Russia increased annual fish exports by 12% to 2.2 million tons

Russia increased fish exports in 2023 by 12% compared to 2022 - up to 2.2 million tons. This is evidenced by the data of the Federal Agency for Fishery, published on February 12, 2024.

The main share of exports (76%) fell on ice cream fish, the department said. In second place were the supply of fish fillet and minced meat (9%). Another 6% of supplies came from flour and non-food granules from aquatic biological resources, and 5% - from crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic invertebrates.

Russia increased fish exports in 2023 by 12% compared to 2022

The main buyers of Russian fish products in 2023 were China - 1.21 million tons (2 times more than in 2022), South Korea - 617 thousand tons (a third less), the Netherlands - 138 thousand tons (+ 4%), Belarus - 75.5 thousand tons (-3%), Japan - 33 thousand tons (-43%), Kazakhstan - 26 thousand tons (+ 11%), Nigeria - 18 thousand tons (-64%).

The Federal Agency for Fishery also reported that imports of fish products to Russia in 2023 amounted to about 606 thousand tons, which is 9% more than in 2022.

According to the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russia, in 2023 the Russian Federation increased the export of food products and agricultural raw materials by 4.3% compared to the previous year, to $43.1 billion.

As noted in the Federal Agency for Fishery, the Russian fishing industry is working stably, which makes it possible to provide both the domestic market and export supplies. Imported products make it possible to offer the consumer a wider range due to the products and those types that do not extract/do not produce in the country or extract/produce in insufficient quantities, the department emphasized.

The increase in export supplies goes without infringing on the interests of the domestic consumer: ensuring the domestic market is an unconditional priority, the Federal Agency for Fishery said in a statement.[17]

2022

Oyster production in Kuban decreased 1.9 times due to sanctions on the import of planting material

The production of oysters in the Kuban in 2022 decreased 1.9 times due to sanctions on the import of planting material, which was fully imported from Europe.

Pollock imports to Russia decreased 10.7 times to 158 tons

Pollock imports to Russia in 2022 decreased by 10.7 times compared to 2021 and amounted to 158 tons. This is evidenced by the data of the Association of Pollock Miners (ADM), which were released at the end of February 2023. Read more here.

Reduction in imports of fish products by 31% to $1.819 billion

Imports of fish products to Russia in 2022 decreased by 31.3% of the year and amounted to 387 thousand tons worth over $1.819 billion - the All-Russian Association of Fisheries.

Pollock imports to Russia decreased 10.7 times to 158 tons

Pollock imports to Russia in 2022 decreased by 10.7 times compared to 2021 and amounted to 158 tons. This is evidenced by the data of the Association of Pollock Miners (ADM), which were released at the end of February 2023.

According to Vedomosti, the supply of pollock products to the Russian Federation at the end of 2022 was the lowest since 2014, when 126 times more were imported into the country - about 20,300 tons of pollock and surimi (raw materials for the production of fish products).

According to ADM President Alexei Buglak, foreign pollock products in 2022 accounted for only 0.08% of the total domestic market in Russia, so we can say that Russian companies were able to completely replace foreign players. At the same time, in 2014, the share of external supplies was more than 13%, he recalled. According to the association, in 2022, Russian fishermen brought 183 thousand tons of pollock products to the domestic market.

The level of production and processing of pollock really increased significantly, this made it possible to replace a significant share of imports, the representative of the Federal Agency for Fishery confirmed. According to the agency, this is the most massive fish in the country in terms of prey.

In 2022, its catch amounted to 1.9 million tons, while in total Russian fishermen mined 4.7 million tons of fish. Domestic companies were able to produce 987,000 tons of pollock ice cream, fillet, minced meat and surimi, which is 8% more than in 2021, according to ADM.

The stable price of Russian fish and fish products also contributed to the substitution of imports, Buglak said. According to the ADM, on average in 2022, pollock ice cream cost 85-90 rubles/kg, and by the end of the year it even fell in price to 75-80 rubles/kg. The price of block fillets has been kept at 210 rubles/kg for three years, Buglak added.^[18]

Increase in fish exports by 4.5%, to 2.15 million tons

In 2022, Russia supplied about 2.15 million tons of fish products abroad, which is 4.5% more than a year earlier. Such data were published by the Federal Agency for Fishery on February 20, 2023.

According to the ministry, Russia is one of the five world leaders in fishing and one of the ten largest suppliers of fish to the world market, and also has significant potential to increase production. Russian fishermen harvest about 5 million tons of fish and invertebrates annually, the Federal Agency for Fishery said.

The ministry added that by February 2023, a lot of work is underway to diversify export supplies of Russian fish products, including by expanding the geography of exports, in this regard, the countries of the Persian Gulf, Africa, Southeast Asia have great potential.

On January 17, 2023, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries Vasily Sokolov told reporters that in 2022 the Russian Federation exported more than 1 million tons of fish, the main country of export is China. In addition, the list of buyers of Russian fish products includes the Netherlands, Japan and Nigeria, as well as Belarus.

The United States closed completely to import Russian fish products. Europe has not yet closed, but has imposed a number of restrictions... Although there were difficulties last [2022] due to the fact that there were tough covid [COVID-19] restrictions, they have now been lifted. In principle, our exporters are satisfied with this event, - he noted

According to Sokolov, the Russian Federation is developing a digital ecosystem together with Chinese importers in order to digitally issue permits for export.

But in general, the main goal is to saturate the domestic market. We see good dynamics. The domestic market is interesting for our fishermen and aquaculturists. We continue to develop aquaculture, "he added.[19]

Russia increased exports of fish products by 4.5%

In 2022, Russia supplied about 2.15 million tons of fish products abroad, which is 4.5% more than a year earlier. Such data were published by the Federal Agency for Fishery on February 20, 2023. Read more here.

2021: Shrimp imports to Russia increased by 69.3%, to 84 thousand tons

In 2021, a total of 84 thousand tons of shrimp were imported into Russia from abroad, which is 69.3% more than a year earlier. In comparison with 2019, the import of these products almost doubled - then it was measured at 44.85 thousand tons. This is evidenced by the data of the All-Russian Association of Fisheries (VARPE).

Deliveries of foreign shrimp to the Russian Federation in money at the end of 2021 amounted to $485.3 million, which is 89.6% higher than the result of a year ago. In 2019, it was about the amount of $271 million. Thus, the average cost of imported shrimp since 2019 has decreased by about 4.5%, to $5.77 thousand per 1 ton, notes Kommersant"" with reference to the VARPE data.

Imports of tiger shrimp in 2021 increased by 119%, Pacific white shrimp - by 51%, northern shrimp - by almost 50%, langoustines - by 32% in annual terms, the newspaper was told in Rosrybolovstvo. The department also said that the demand for shrimp has increased around the world, and not only in Russia.

The Auchan newspaper reported that in 2021, sales of shrimp in retail outlets of the chain increased by a third in physical terms. This is because shrimp are easier to cook than fish and are also considered a healthy product.

Experts note that in 2021 the market won back the decline in imports, which began in 2014 due to the devaluation of the ruble and the food embargo. Russia managed to find suppliers from countries that did not fall under sanctions from the Russian side.

At the same time, the Fish Union reported that fish consumption in Russia is decreasing. So, in 2021, it decreased by 2 kg, to 13.3 kg per person per year. The Federal Agency for Fishery does not agree with the estimates, noting that consumption has been growing since 2017, and in 2020 there were 22.2 kg of fish per person.^[20]

2020: Russian caviar exports double in 5 years

In 2020, exports of Russian caviar reached 1,213 tons, which is 12% more than a year earlier, and almost twice the figure five years ago. Such data in June 2021 were provided by the Center for Industry Expertise of Rosselkhozbank.

Andrei Dalnov, head of the Center for Sectoral Expertise of Rosselkhozbank, linked the high dynamics with an increase in export supplies of white caviar: at the end of 2020, it grew by 25%, to 663 tons. In 2021, this type of caviar will retain its leading position in Russian exports due to a wide price and taste range, as well as new applications outside the food sector, he expects.

White caviar includes pike caviar, pollock, cassock, carp, walleye and other breeds. In 2020, it accounted for 55% of exports of the entire category in physical terms, 663 tons, and the share increased by 25% over the year. This type of caviar is in greatest demand in neighboring countries.

Deliveries of Russian caviar to the United States grew the fastest: by the end of 2020, 28 tons of products were shipped to this country against 4 tons in 2016, that is, the growth was about 640%.

High dynamics of export growth over the year was shown Moldova (2.6 times, up to 64 tons) and (Canada by 81%, up to 19 tons). USA entered the top ten buyers of Russian caviar. Leadership holds, Ukraine then go and. Belarus Kazakhstan

According to Dalnov, an increase in imports of Russian caviar was noted not only in the United States, but also in other Western countries, this is for two reasons. First of all, this is an increase in the share of the middle class and the accompanying distribution of restaurants with premium dishes from different countries, including Russian. Secondly, there is additional demand from companies in the non-food sector, where caviar is used as a component for the production of cosmetic and pharmacological products, he added.^[21]

2019: China buys 61% of Russian fish exports for $3.27 billion

China accounts for 61% of Russian fish exports - 1.09 million tons in 2019, or $3.27 billion in monetary terms.

Notes