Soaring Frozen Cod Prices Force Japan to Cut Imports

According to a report by the Minato Shimbun, the price of frozen imported cod soared last year due to a global decline in catch, drastically reducing Japanese imports. Both US and Russian cod largely disappeared from the domestic market. The unit price for frozen 9/10 counts in 18/19 kg blocks (longline-caught and dressed) from Alaska was "around 1,530 yen/kg ($9.58/kg) if a domestic price were to be assigned," according to a trading company source.

The total annual import volume...

Far East Waters Drive Russia's Octopus Industry Revival Plans

Russia plans to significantly increase octopus catch in the coming years as part of efforts to revive the industry after a period of serious stagnation.

According to the Russian Fish Union, Russian fishermen caught 145 tons of octopus in 2025, up 44% from the previous year. Most of the catch consisted of common octopus, giant Doflein octopus, and sand octopus, which is less well-known but also in demand.

Octopus catches in Russia have fluctuated over the past decade. While the total catch reached 318 tons in 2016...

Russia increases planned catch of Kamchatka crab in Barents Sea for 2026

The total allowable catch of Kamchatka crab in the Barents Sea for 2026 has been increased by 10%.  

According to initial plans of Russian fishing regulators, the planned catch for 2026 was supposed to be set at 12,690 tons, however, after consideration it was decided to increase these figures up  13,960 tonnes.

Earlier these were some proposals to set the annual catch of Kamchatka crab in the Barents Sea to up to 20,000 tonnes and even higher although...

Hunchun Border Crossing Becomes Main Gateway for Russian Live Crab to China

Russian‑Chinese crab trade has strengthened in recent months, supported by a surge in Chinese demand ahead of the Lunar New Year.

To handle higher volumes, logistics have improved significantly. Most Russian live crab now enters China through the Hunchun border crossing, which operated at full capacity prior to the holiday period due to increased shipments from Russia, according to Chinese media.

Hunchun, located in China's Jilin Province at the junction of the borders with Russia and North Korea, has...

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...

NORAD Intercepts 5 Russian Aircraft Over Bering Strait, Deployed Five Jets to Escort Them Out

The North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked two Russian Tu-95s, two Su-35s and one A-50 flying through international airspace near the Bering Strait, west of Alaska, on Thursday. 

The US-Canadian command launched two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3 and four KC-135 refueling tankers to intercept the Russian aircraft and escort them out of the area...

Japan: Russian Atka Mackerel Price Holding Steady, Price Increase in Prospect

According to Minato Shimbun, the domestic sales price for frozen dressed Russian Atka Mackerel (540-640 grams) is 620 yen/kg ($4.05/kg) as of early February, unchanged from September of last year. While rising prices for competing fish species are likely to lead to an increase in demand and price hikes in the future, "it's highly likely that prices won't start to move significantly until summer," according to a trading company source.

This year, there has been a global trend...

Russia Targets Growth in Shrimp Imports and Production

Russia plans to significantly increase shrimp production and imports in the coming years as local demand remains strong.

According to the Fish Union, Russia increased shrimp imports by at least 2% in volume last year, while the value of imports rose by 20%.

India, Vietnam, and China are among the largest shrimp exporters to Russia, with India being the top supplier, providing 19,000 tonnes in 2025.

Russia imports shrimp species not produced locally due to climatic conditions, including farmed Vannamei shrimp, farmed tiger shrimp, wild Argentine shrimp, and more than 25 other...

Access, Concentration, and Risk: The New Structure of Global Crab Trade

The 2026 global crab market is increasingly defined by concentration and control. Two dominant poles now shape global trade flows: the United States, which has consolidated its position as the world’s premier destination for king and snow crab, and China, which continues to absorb the majority of Russian live production at record levels. In this environment, competitive advantage is no longer driven by tonnage alone, but by secure access, disciplined inventory management, and credible supply chains.

This concentration has left secondary markets—particularly in Asia—more exposed to currency...

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)...

China’s Fish Exports to Russia Reach Decade High in 2025

China increased its fish supplies to the Russian market to a ten-year high in 2025, with export growth continuing into 2026.

The latest figures, reported by Russian newswire RIA Novosti and based on Chinese customs data, show Chinese companies exported fish to Russia worth US$188.3 million in 2025 – up from US$141.1 million in 2024. The 34% year-on-year increase marked the highest level since 2015...

Russia Hopes for Stable Production and Exports of Mackerel This Year

Russia hopes for stable production and exports of mackerel this year, as the demand for this fish steadily grows in both domestic and foreign markets.

In recent years, the migratory range of mackerel has significantly expanded, allowing Russian fishermen to begin harvesting this fish in new areas such as the Sea of Japan and parts of the Norwegian Sea, which are accessible to Russian trawlers. Previously, the Black Sea was a key location for mackerel fishing, but the focus for Russian fishermen has shifted predominantly...

Russia Eyes Further Live Crab Export Growth to China in 2026

Russia plans to further increase crab exports to China in 2026, with particular focus on live crab supplies, which remain in strong demand among Chinese consumers.

Last year, Russia exported up to 38,500 tons of live crab to China, marking a 10% increase over 2024 and a 20% rise compared to 2023. In value terms, these exports amounted to approximately US$1.1 billion.

These figures are expected to grow further in 2026, as Russian fishermen place high hopes on continued strong demand from China...

Cold Storage Shortfall Spurs Russian Plans for Capacity Expansion

Russia intends to expand its refrigeration and warehousing capacity for fish and seafood in the coming years. The country continues to face shortages in these facilities, which the state has identified as a priority area for fisheries development.

Estimates from Rosrybolovstvo and independent analysts put the shortfall at around 80,000 tonnes in the Far East and about 50,000 tonnes in the North.

Plans under consideration could add new refrigeration facilities with a total capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes nationwide. In the Far East, efforts are expected to focus...

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

Russian Far East King Crab Price Dropped 6% to $37.50 per Kilo at the Second Bussan Auction

The second bidding round of the year for frozen king crab from the Russian Far East took place on December 18th in Busan, South Korea. According to one trading company, 14 tons of cooked, air-blast-frozen crab (10kg fixed weight) produced in mid-November was up for bid. The winning bid (M-3L single price, EXW Busan) was $37.50/kg, 6% lower than the initial bid, and it appears that a single South Korean trading company won the entire...

Japan, Russia Agree on 2,050-Ton Salmon Quota for 2026

According to the Minato Shimbun, the Fisheries Agency of Japan announced on March 20 that it had reached an agreement with Russia regarding the operating conditions for Russian-origin salmon and trout fishing conducted by Japanese fishing vessels within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for the current season. Both the catch quota and equipment provision remain the same as the previous year. 

The total catch quota within Japan's EEZ is 2,050 tons. Of this, 500 tons are for chum salmon. The combined total of pink, sockeye, coho...

Quota Rule Changes Aim to Lift Profitability in Russia’s Deep‑Sea Crab Sector

Russia will stimulate production of deep‑sea crabs by easing catch requirements, removing certain species from auctions with investment obligations.

Deep‑sea crabs found at depths up to 1,800 meters were recently excluded from auctions that require winning bidders to build vessels and processing facilities. Quotas for these crabs will no longer be offered under investment‑obligation terms, freeing businesses from those construction and investment requirements.

Russian media report the change will mainly affect angulatus snow crab in the East Sakhalin and North Okhotsk subzones...

Russia’s Per‑Capita Fish Consumption Falls to 24 kg as Exports Rise

Per‑capita fish consumption in Russia remains below government targets and shows little sign of near‑term recovery. State plans set a target of 28 kg per person for 2025, but consumption fell to about 24 kg in 2025 — a 2.4% decline year‑on‑year and roughly 11% below 2023 levels. Industry analysts say producers still find it more profitable to export catch than to supply the domestic market.

Retail demand softened in 2025. Analytics firm NTech estimates retail fish sales fell about 1% by volume...

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...

Russia Boosts Fish Processing Output, Fillet Production Climbs 9%

Russia is increasing fish processing volumes as demand for fish products remains stable, according to the latest data from the Russian Fish Union.

In 2025, Russian companies produced 4.1 million tons of fish and fish products. While frozen fish output declined slightly, production of frozen fish fillets rose. Frozen fish volumes fell 3% to 2.6 million tons, largely due to increased production of more deeply processed products.

Frozen fish fillet output increased by 9% to 253,000 tons. On‑board pollock fillet production reached 102,000 tons in 2025...

Russia Maintains Crab Exports to China as US Market Remains Closed

Russia continues to supply crab to China from its Northern Basin amid limited export options, particularly to the US and the EU.

According to the Russian agricultural regulator Rosselkhoznadzor, in January 2026, about 27 tonnes of live crab from the Murmansk region were shipped to China. For the entirety of 2025, approximately 530 tonnes of live crab were exported to China from the Russian North, with a significant portion transported by air due to the long distance.

These volumes are significantly lower...

Russia's 2025 Salmon Catch Up 100,000 Tons Year‑on‑Year

Russia remains the world’s largest producer of Pacific salmon, according to recent statements from experts at the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo).

An agency spokesperson said that during the last salmon fishing season, Russia’s catch totaled approximately 335,500 tons, about 100,000 tons higher than in 2024. The bulk of the catch traditionally comes from Kamchatka.

As a result, Russia is currently fully self‑sufficient in salmon and caviar, though it continues to import Atlantic salmon, primarily from Chile...

Russia Plans Major 2026 Catch Increases for Crab, Fish Species

Russia plans to significantly raise total allowable catch quotas for specific fish species and crabs in 2026, based on data from recent scientific expeditions.

Rosrybolovstvo reports that greenling quotas in the North Kuril subzone will increase by 54.1% to 18,500 tons. Cod quotas in the South Kuril subzone are set to grow by 8.7%, while whelk quotas in the North Okhotsk subzone will rise by 19%.

Crab quotas will also see increases due to significant stock growth. Kamchatka crab catch limits in the West Sakhalin subzone...

Japan's Frozen Cod Imports Plummets 80% in January-November Amid Sluggish Global Fishery

According to a Minato Shimbun report, imported frozen cod prices soared last year due to a global catch shortage, causing a sharp decline in imports. Trade statistics for January to November 2025 showed that the unit price was 860 yen/kg ($5.52/kg), up 38% from the same period last year, while the total volume was 838 tons, down 81%. In particular, the unit price of Russian fish rose 46% to 873 yen ($5.61/kg), while volume...

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...

Shadow Crab Market Persists in Russia Despite Crackdown and Legal Reforms

A recent case in the Murmansk region saw local police disrupt an organized group involved in the illegal sale of Kamchatka crabs. According to Irina Volk, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, up to 77 live crabs weighing approximately 300 kg were illegally caught in coastal waters of the Barents Sea and intended for unlawful delivery and sale in other parts of Russia.

This incident is one of many involving illegal catches of Kamchatka and other crabs investigated by Russian law enforcement. While past annual volumes of...

Russian Government May Consider Selling Historical Fish Quotas Via Actions This Year

The Russian government will consider the beginning selling the so-called historical fish quotas through the auctions, in a move that will allow to attract additional revenues to the state budget.

Last year such a proposal has been put forward by some senior state officials in the Russian government, but was criticized by representatives of the local fish community. Still there is possibility that the government may once again consider this proposal later this year.

In accordance with the current Russian practice, certain fishing companies...

No 2026 Deal as Russia–Japan Fisheries Talks Stall

Russia and Japan have failed to reach an agreement on fisheries for 2026. The two countries hold annual negotiations to set quotas, identify target species, and establish catch conditions. These arrangements have governed operations in the Southern Kuril Islands since 1984.

Japanese Minister Norikazu Suzuki said the prospects for further dialogue remain unclear, with Tokyo seeking a solution that protects national interests.

Contacts between the parties may continue. For Russia, the Japanese market is relatively minor in terms of imports. According to Kommersant, citing industry sources, Japanese seafood...