EU Continues Importing Russian Fish Despite Sanctions

The European Union continues to import fish from Russia despite sanctions. In the first half of 2025, Russian fish exports to the EU rose to 122,000 tons, driven mainly by pollock fillets, whose supply more than doubled.

While official figures for the full year 2025 are not yet available, most analysts expect growth to continue at a similar pace.

In 2024, the EU imported fish and seafood from Russia for $751.74 million, with comparable figures expected for 2025.

The EU primarily imports white fish...

Russian Fish Exports to China Reach 1.9M Tons Amid Persistent Tariff Barriers

China continues to maintain tariffs on key Russian fish export products despite growing fisheries trade between the two countries. 

Official data shows that Russian fish exports to China reached 1.91 million tons, worth US$3.4 billion, in 2025. Exports could have been higher if not for tariff restrictions limiting supply. 

Updated tariffs that took effect January 1, 2026, are set at 5% on a wide range of products, including frozen pollock, herring, cod, and blue whiting. In 2025, these species accounted for 71% of the...

Surge in Surimi Production Supports Russia’s Export Push to Asia

The Russian surimi sector is booming, with strong growth in both value and volume.

Analysts at the Russian Pollock Association forecast that production could rise another 20–25% in 2026, exceeding 100,000 MT and setting a national record. In 2025, surimi production increased 25% to 89,000 metric tons (MT), following a 47% expansion in 2024.

The surimi segment is one of the few in the Russian seafood market showing simultaneous growth in volume and value. The sector has expanded rapidly since 2020...

Hokkaido December Surimi Production up 20%, 2025 Production up 12%

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Association, Hokkaido's frozen surimi production volume in December 2025 increased 20% year-on-year to 756 tons, marking the first year-on-year increase in four months, driven by higher production of the main species, Alaska pollock.

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun, Alaska pollock increased 21% to 755 tons, the first increase in four months. According to a manufacturer source, while raw fish landings in Hokkaido were sluggish in Funka Bay, down...

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Imports Fell by 3% in Volume; Pollock Surimi up 36% from Russia, Down 11% from the US 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on January 29th, the volume of marine product imports in 2025 (preliminary figures, including seafood and seafood preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) decreased 3% from the previous year to 2,024,014 tons, while import value increased 4% to 2,381,400,000 yen ($15,175,740.60). Fresh and frozen tuna increased 6% to 186,362 tons, fresh and frozen salmon and trout remained the same as the previous year at 219,397 tons, and sea urchin...

Russia Warns of Possible Bering Sea Pollock Catch Decline Amid Stock Concerns

Russia is expressing concern about a potential decline in pollock catch in its part of the Bering Sea due to reduced stock levels.

According to the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (ASRF), a recent assessment by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found a 30% decline in pollock biomass in the eastern Bering Sea within US fishing zones.

ASRF notes these findings are significant for the outlook of the pollock fishery in the Russian Western Bering Sea (WBS)...

GSMC 2026: Whitefish Panel Discusses Reshuffling Supply Amid Cod Decline, Growing Pollock Momentum

At GSMC 2026, the Whitefish Panel, led by Expana’s own Angel Rubio and Paul Jewer, CEO of High Liner Foods, underscored a major reshuffling underway in whitefish supply as cod availability tightens globally. Panelists highlighted pollock's rising prominence, greater familiarity, and growing integration into consumer-facing menus, as cod faces persistent supply constraints and higher prices.

Rubio set the stage with data showing continued declines in global Atlantic and Pacific cod harvests over the past decade, driven by strong ongoing demand and constrained supply...

High Liner Foodservice Launches Fully Cooked Whitefish Line Targeting C-store, QSR Operators

Value-added frozen seafood company High Liner Foods has debuted a brand-new portfolio of fully cooked offerings via its Foodservice division.

The new product line includes fully cooked whitefish items, providing solutions for foodservice operators and distributors.

“High Liner Foods has over a century of expertise in seafood excellence, and innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Anthony Rasetta, Chief Commercial Officer at High Liner Foods. “Our new line of responsibly sourced, fully cooked products opens up opportunities for operators and distributors...

Russia Eyes Haddock and Pollock as Alternatives Amid Cod Decline

Russia continues to face declining cod catches due to low stock levels and changing climatic conditions, adversely affecting production.

To compensate, local analysts suggest increasing haddock and pollock catches as possible replacements for cod.

German Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), told Kommersant that cod has an unfortunate history—200–250 years ago, it was the main commercial target for Russian fishermen. However, high demand combined with natural factors has led to overexploitation of cod populations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...

GAPP Taps Jim Johnson as New Chairman of the Board, Adds New Board Members for 2026

The Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced new Board leadership and a continuation of its work expanding demand for wild Alaska pollock.

“Significant resources will be dedicated to both building demand for Wild Alaska Pollock around the world and protecting the reputation of the fishery in the coming year,” the group said in a statement released today. 

At its annual Board and Membership meetings, the GAPP members voted to maintain its current assessment rate to support broader demand-building work...

Russia, India Set Ambitious Fisheries Cooperation Agenda Post-Putin Visit

Russia plans to expand cooperation with India in the fisheries sector, following agreements made during Russian President Putin's recent visit to India.

The plans include establishing joint ventures focused on maritime logistics, deep-sea fishing, and fishing port automation.

Russia is especially optimistic about increasing Indian seafood imports, with particular emphasis on shrimp supplies. According to Russia’s Agriculture Minister Oksana Luth, India remains a leading shrimp supplier to Russia and imports are expected to grow further in 2026.

“India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of shrimp...

Alaska Pollock Biomass Drops 30%, But Federal Shutdown Delays Stock Assessment Process

A summer survey of the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) showed a 30% drop in the biomass of Walleye pollock in the area compared to a 2024 survey. 

Results of the 2025 Eastern and Northern Bering Sea Bottom Trawl Survey, which were released to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s groundfish plan team in September, showed a drop from last year’s 5.5 million metric tons to a current 3.8 million metric tons of pollock in the area. 

Other species also showed drops in biomass: Pacific cod dropped...

Japan: September Imports up 15% to JPY 169.5 Billion; Frozen Coho Surged 51%, Sockeye Dropped by 46%

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on October 30, Japan's imports of fishery products (preliminary figures, including fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) in September decreased by 2% year-on-year to 161,274 tons, while the value increased by 15% to 169.494 billion yen ($1.1 billion). Imports of fresh and frozen tuna increased by 34% to 18,330 tons, and salmon and trout increased by 4% to 13,839 tons, but shrimp decreased by 12%...

The Winding Glass: Alaska Fisheries Face Crisis due to Gov’t Shutdown

December is the most important meeting of the year for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Quotas are set for all Alaskan species under federal management, with the pollock and cod fisheries beginning the following month. Federal staff are furloughed, data work has stopped, and NMFS warns that a shutdown lasting more than two weeks could force precautionary quotas or missed deadlines for next year’s TACs. The shutdown is now approaching 30 days.

This disruption comes on top of the already severe erosion of NOAA personnel...

VARPE, VASEP Pact Aims to Expand Russian Seafood Exports to Vietnam 

Russia and Vietnam have agreed to significantly expand joint fish trade under a memorandum signed by the Russian fish association VARPE and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) during an international forum in St. Petersburg.

The memorandum commits both sides to expand trade volumes, simplify cross-border procedures, and develop scientific cooperation in the fisheries sector. For Russia, the agreement opens greater access for Russian fishermen and processors to Vietnam’s large and growing seafood market.

Herman Zverev, head of VARPE, said Vietnam...

Gidrostroy Opens Major Sakhalin Processing Plant, Aims to Be Top Russian Fish Processor

Gidrostroy says it aims to become one of Russia’s largest fish processors in the coming years with the launch of several large new processing facilities.

One of those facilities was recently commissioned in the Korsakovsky District of Sakhalin Island. Built under the federal investment quota program, the complex was completed in just one year with a total investment of 3.7 billion rubles ($46.5 million).

The new plant sits on a 10,000‑square‑meter site and can process up to...

GAPP Seeks Market Research Proposals for Surimi Market Assessment in India

The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), who for years have been looking at India as a possible market for Alaska pollock surimi,  took an important step today by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study the potential market for Wild Alaska Pollock surimi in the sub-continent.   

The research, which is funded in part by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Emerging Markets Program and partly by industry funds, will identify both barriers and opportunities for the consumption of surimi seafood made from Alaska pollock...

High Liner's Sea Cuisine Debuts Guinness Battered Fish and Shrimp in 1,500 Kroger Stores, Costco

Bringing pub classics to the frozen aisle, Sea Cuisine, one of High Liner Foods’ retail brands, introduced Guinness Battered Fish Strips and Shrimp made from wild-caught Alaska pollock and tail-off shrimp coated in a Guinness-infused batter.

The products are now available in roughly 1,500 Kroger-family stores and in Costco club-size packs as the brand eyes broader North American expansion.

Expanding on its existing portfolio of Guinness Foodservice options, High Liner unveiled the Sea Cuisine Guinness Battered Fish Strips and Shrimp...

NPFMC Sets New Measures to Reduce Western Alaska Chum Bycatch During Pollock B Season

History was made at last week’s North Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting convened to address the chum salmon bycatch in the pollock trawl fleets during the summer “B” season.

First, Western Alaska residents who rely on chum salmon as a keystone food in their culture and way of life described their loss to the Council and industry stakeholders who attended the meeting or listened online. Over 200 individuals submitted written comments, testified orally before the 11-member panel, and spoke...

White Castle Gears Up for Lent with its Return of Buttermilk Shrimp Nibblers

As the foodservice industry gears up for Lent, it is introducing special offers to cater to customers observing the occasion. This initiative aligns with White Castle's longstanding tradition of providing a variety of delicious, high-quality seafood options during a time when consumers seek non-meat alternatives.

In its latest offering, White Castle is bringing back Buttermilk Shrimp Nibblers. Available through April 5, this limited-time offering features butterfly shrimp that are battered and fried to perfection...

2025 Survey: Pollock Biomass Down by 30%, Snow Crab Up by 51% in Eastern Bering Sea

The walleye pollock biomass dropped by 30% from 2024, according to results of the annual eastern Bering Sea trawl survey, but a much smaller portion found in the northern Bering Sea rose by 50.6% YOY. 

Pollock is the largest contributor of biomass in both the eastern and northern Bering Sea. It accounts for 28% of the EBS and 23% of the NBS, making it the largest US commercial fishery.  

Even with a 30% drop in biomass, there is enough for the conservation-led...

Russia Plans to Turn South Korea into One of its Major Destinations for Seafood Supplies

Russia plans to turn South Korea into one of major trade destinations for the supplies of its fish and seafood in years to come.

That will be achieved by the increase of supplies in both volume and value terms.

In recent years, imports of Russian fish to the South Korean market have already exceeded some historic highs, while the growth is currently ongoing. This is also confirmed by some latest official statistics of the Korean Statistical Service, according...

Russia Continues Supplies of its Cod and Pollock to EU Despite the Existing Restrictions and Duties

Russia continues the supplies of its cod and pollock to the EU despite the existing restrictions and duties although this does not lead to decline of fish prices in the European market.

In fact, the European Union banned imports of caviar from Russia after the beginning of Russian-Ukranian war, but other fish products, including cod, still remained on the market being not a subject of bans. In 2024, the EU revoked Russian fisherman their tariff exemptions, but purchases of Russian

USDA Purchases $13.7M in Pollock, Catfish and Canned Salmon for Domestic Programs

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchased roughly $13.7 million worth of pollock, catfish and canned salmon products for use in domestic food distribution programs.

The USDA initially released a solicitation to sell various salmon, pollock and catfish products on November 25. In the end, the USDA bought 1.75 million pounds of seafood for $13,694,519.36.

Specifically, the USDA purchased 1,8000 cases of frozen Atlantic pollock fillets for $500,400; along with various frozen Alaska pollock products for a combined $2.3 million...

Russia Eyes 3–4% Pollock Catch Increase in Major 2026 Sea of Okhotsk Season

Russia is optimistic about the forthcoming pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk, set to begin next month.

Alexey Buglak, president of the Russian Pollock Association, said at a recent Far Eastern Scientific and Commercial Council meeting that Russian fishermen plan to increase pollock catch by 3–4%, targeting 870,000–880,000 tons during the main fishing season.

The largest fishing season in Russia—the Sea of Okhotsk pollock run—starts January 1, 2026. Season "A" will last 100 days, ending April 10...

2026 Pollock TAC Steady for Bering Sea, Aleutians, Bogoslof with Revised Regional Allocations

The 2026 total annual catch (TAC) for pollock has been set at the same level as last year — 1.394 million metric tons (mmt) in the Bering Sea (BS)/Aleutian Islands (AI) and Bogoslof area. The difference is how the TAC is allocated this year, with the biggest change in the AI, although at a much smaller scale than the Bering Sea's pollock TAC. 

In the Bering Sea, the 2026 TAC dropped from 1.389 mmt last year to 1.375 mmt in 2026...

Rosrybolovstvo Forecasts 5% Decline in Catch; Exports Still Eye US$6 Billion in 2025

Russia expects fish catch to fall up to 5% this year, mainly because Iwashi sardine migrations bypassed traditional fishing grounds, Rosrybolovstvo head Ilya Shestakov said.

VARPE (All‑Russian Association of Fishery Producers) earlier reported that oceanographic conditions in the northwest Pacific in late spring and summer 2025 caused Iwashi sardines to move away from customary Russian fishing areas.

“Right now, three trawlers—our research vessels—are searching for Iwashi. If we find them, the catch will be about...

Russia, Japan Log Progress on Fisheries Cooperation Amid Ongoing Tensions 

Two delegations recently discussed joint catch and management of fish and seafood resources, with particular attention paid to studying existing stocks of salmon, saury, mackerel, sardine, and several other species.

According to Alexey Baitalyuk, PhD, Deputy Director of VNIRO, one of Russia’s leading research institutions in fisheries, the planned expansion of cooperation will involve mutual data exchange, with a focus on the North Pacific region.

Russia has confirmed plans to observe the moratorium on pollock fishing in the central Okhotsk and Bering Seas to help restore fish stocks...

Russian PCA Exported 500 MT of Pollock Roe to China Under MOU with China’s CAPPMA

The Russian Pollock Fishermen's Association recently announced that this year's exports of pollock roe to China have exceeded 500 tons. Since China has virtually no culture of eating pollock, the association is actively working to develop the Chinese market, Minato Shimbun reported.

According to the Hokkaido Trawl Fisheries Cooperative Federation, the 2024 export volume of Russian pollock roe is approximately 37,000 tons, roughly the same level as the previous year. The majority is destined for Japan and South Korea...

August Hokkaido Surimi Production Increased 27% to 195 Tons

According to member reports compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association, August frozen surimi production in Hokkaido increased due to an increase in production of the mainstay pollock, reaching 195 tons, a 27% increase over the same month last year. This marks the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year increases, including July, when production was at the same level as the same month last year, reported Minato Shimbun.

Usually in August, the only place where pollock is landed in large quantities is the Okhotsk region by offshore bottom trawlers...