Russia Focuses on Boosting Seafood Exports, Particularly Value-Added Fish Products

Throughout the year, Russia plans to continue expanding its export geography for Russian fish and fish products.

At the recent meeting of the State Council commission on “International Cooperation and Export,” Ilya Shestakov, head of Rosrybolovstvo stated that Russia currently exports fish to more than 90 countries.

Shestakov added, “We see potential for further export growth, primarily to friendly countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We continue systematic work to promote Russian fish and seafood in foreign markets.”

As Shestakov believes, the Russian fisheries complex...

Russia May Face a Flounder Shortage This Year

This year, due to a significant reduction in flounder catch and a high share of export products (up to 25%), Russia may be facing a flounder shortage and a coinciding price surge to match.

According to the latest data, flounder prices in Russia have already grown by more than 30% since the beginning of the current year, with growth still ongoing.

According to the Fish Union, 2025 flounder catch in the Far East has decreased by 25% year-on-year, though the “high season,” for flounder catch is still underway, falling in the...

Russia to Increase Fish Exports to Vietnam

Russia plans to increase its fish exports to Vietnam this year thanks to the ever-growing demand from local processors.

According to German Zverev, President of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers, Vietnam is actively expanding its processing capacities and becoming a key player in the global market. In 2024, the country almost liquidated its gap with China in terms of fish exports.

At present, Vietnamese processors mainly work with local raw materials, such as pangasius and tilapia, but its taste is inferior to wild fish. Thus, Russia can become an important...

Russian Crabbers Increase Domestic Prices, Hope to Resume Exports to the US

Crab prices in Russia are steadily growing, mainly due to the country's ongoing export growth. According to analysts, in the first three months of 2025, Russia exported 17,000 tons of crab worth more than $440 million, which is almost by 25% more in both volume and value terms than the previous year.  

That contributes to the growth of crab prices in the domestic market.  

According to recent statements made by Valentin Balashov, Chairman of the Interregional Association of Coastal Fishery Industrialists of the Northern Basin, in an interview...

Russia to Increase Exports of Deep-Processed Fish Products to BRICS Markets

This year, Russia will accelerate its efforts to increase exports of deep-processed fish products to key BRICS partners, among which are India, Brazil, and China.

According to earlier statements made by German Zverev, President of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with Russian media, the biggest export potential is currently observed with pollock fillets, surimi, clipfish, and fishmeal.

Perhaps the biggest hopes are associated with supplies to the Indian market, where Russia estimates the annual supply of pollock fillets could reach...

Russia Increases 2025 Crab Exports by 26%

Russia has increased its 2025 crab exports by 26%, compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by Russian analysts and local media.

According to estimates from experts at the Federal Center for Development of Agricultural Exports of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia (Agroexport), Russia exported about 17,000 tons of crab during Q1 2025, worth more than US$440 million. Compared to the same period last year, supplies increased by 23% in volume and 26% in terms of value.

The majority of crab was exported to China, which...

Russia to Continue Reorienting Fish Exports from EU to Alternative Markets

According to reports from local media and analysts in the Russian fishing sector, Russia will continue reorienting the flow of its fish exports, originally directed to the European Union (EU), to alternative sale markets, primarily those in Asia.

According to German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), the shift will lead to a shortage in certain fish species in the EU market, particularly for cod and pollock.

In an interview with Russian newspaper Ria Novosti, Zverev said that the current niche, which was previously...

Russia is Increasing its Shrimp Catch This Year

This year, Russia is increasing its shrimp catch, thanks to an ever-growing demand for the shellfish species both globally and domestically.

According to latest data from the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries, Russia’s volume of shrimp catch during the period of January-March 2025 amounted to 5,400 tons, which is 29% more than the same period last year. In 2024, the total volume of catch grew by 24%, amounting to 27,000 tonnes.

At the same time, according to data of the Russian Fish Union, shrimp imports to Russia in 2024 also increased...

Barclays Downgrades Salmar and Leroy Seafood to Underweight

Global financial services provider Barclays recently downgraded Salmar and Leroy Seafood to Underweight from Equal Weight status, thus indicating that the seafood companies’ stocks are currently underperforming in relation to their typical benchmarks.

This dip in price targets coincides with recently implemented U.S. import tariffs, which have spurred a decline in the global stock market. Tariffs have impacted exports of numerous countries including Norway and Chile, where the above companies are headquartered, amongst many others.

According to reporting by Theflyonthewall.com, Barclays analysts have indicated that Salmar’s price target dipped from NOK 530...

Japanese Shipments of Farmed Bluefin Tuna Increased by 11% in 2024

According to a March 24 announcement by the Fisheries Agency of Japan, based on preliminary figures, farmed bluefin tuna shipments in 2024 increased 11% from the previous year, totaling 18,687 tons.

In addition, shipments derived from wild seedlings (including short-term farming) increased by 14% to 18,282 tons. Shipments derived from artificial seedlings decreased by 46% to 405 tons. With the recovery of wild resources, major trading companies have shifted from complete farming to short-term farming to raise larger wild seedlings, which is thought to have led to...

Decline of Russian Pollock and Cod Catches Leads to Increased Export Prices in Foreign Markets

Export prices for Russian pollock and cod are steadily growing due to the reduction of catch and deliveries. According to data from Natsiabresurs, the Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise, the sale price of Russian cod on the foreign market in February 2025 was $7.20 per kg, increasing by 24.1% from the previous month and 65.9% year-on-year (y-o-y). In the meantime, a sharp growth of prices has also been observed in the case of other Russian white fish species including pollock...

Japan's 2024 Surimi Product Export Value Reaches Second Highest on Record with JPY 10.6 Billion

According to the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics, 2024 exports of surimi products, excluding fish sausages, reached 10,402 tons, which marks 8% more than the previous year and recovery of the 10,000-ton mark for the first time in two years. This amounts to the fifth-highest volume ever.

While exports to China were lost entirely due to the embargo, exports to the United States, the largest market, grew significantly. Exports to the Middle East and Southeast Asia also increased...

Japan’s 2024 Alaska Pollock Exports Dipped in Most Countries While Doubling in Nigeria

Since 2019, 100% of fresh Alaska pollock exported from Japan has been destined for South Korea, while frozen pollock is targeted at Asian countries and parts of Africa due to the prolonged Chinese embargo. Still, due to resource constraints, it has not been possible to ensure a sufficient supply. Last year, the combined export volume was 5,868 tons, halved from the previous year, which marks the lowest it has been in recent years, reported Minato Shimbun.

Since 2019, fresh pollock has been destined exclusively for South Korea...

Scottish Salmon Exports Increased 45% in 2024, Reaching Record High of £844 million

Scottish salmon was exported to 48 countries in 2024, with the total export value reaching an all-time high of £844 million. This marks a 45% increase from 2023 to 2024 and a record-breaking increase of £226 million compared to Scotland’s 2019 record of £618 million.

“These exceptional figures clearly demonstrate the surging global demand for Scottish salmon, which is rightly recognized as a premium high-quality product,” said Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

According to HMRC figures published on February 13...

Zhanjiang Guolian Aquatic Products Signs Exclusive Shrimp Sales Contract with Ecuador's AQUAGOLD

According to Minato Shimbun, AQUAGOLD in Guayaquil, a major Ecuadorian vannamei producer, has signed a three-year exclusive agency contract with Zhanjiang Guolian Fisheries for the Chinese market, according to reports from multiple Chinese media outlets on January 8, 2025.

Ecuador is a major producer of farmed vannamei, with more than half of its exports going to China. The largest vannamei producer in Ecuador is Industrial Pesquera Santa Priscilla (IPSP), followed by Sociedad Nacional Galapagos (SONGA) and AQUAGOLD...

Norway's November Seafood Exports Reach Highest Value to Date, Says Norwegian Seafood Council

According to information published recently by the Norwegian Seafood Council, seafood exports in Norway reached a total worth of NOK 17.3 billion in November, making it the most successful November seafood export value to date, increased by NOK 1 billion, or 6%, from last November.

At this rate, Norway is headed for a new export record, with already NOK 160.4 billion exported this year, which is 1.5% higher than this time last year.

Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, said that Norway has been seeing...

New Japanese Scallop Processing Plants Start Running One after Another, Aiming at Overseas Markets

Following Japan's release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, China has banned importing all Japanese seafood products since August 24, 2023. In September 2024, the Chinese and Japanese governments agreed to open negotiations toward lifting the import ban. The two governments negotiated on April 10, 2025, but the Chinese government has kept silent about when to lift the ban.

About 50% of Japan's scallop exports were to China, reaching a record high of 91.1 billion yen in 2022...

ANALYSIS: Argentine Red Shrimp Supply Disruptions Expected Amid Mild Q1 Export Decline

According to official census data, Argentine shrimp exports experienced a slight decline in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in the previous year. Total export volumes fell from 38,147 metric tons (MT) in Q1 2024 to 36,544 MT in Q1 2025. However, it is important to note that export figures for Russia have not been reported this year, which may result in...

Russia Actively Increases Exports of Pollock Fillets and Minced Meat

Russia is actively increasing its exports of pollock fillets and minced pollock meat as the demand for such products remains high.

According to Russian newswire Fishnews, the Russian Federal Center stated that exports between January and March 2025 increased by 72% year-on-year, exceeding USD $140 million, with the bulk of supplies accounting for pollock fillets and minced meat. In terms of volume, exports increased by 61%, amounting to 50,000 tons.

Among the largest buyers of Russian fish fillets are the Republic of Korea and China, where the...

Seafood Expo Global 2025 Begins Today in Barcelona

Today marks the start of the 31st edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global (SEG) in Barcelona, which brings together key players of the global seafood industry, including retail buyers, food service and distribution businesses, importers, government and industry leaders, and suppliers for seafood, equipment, and packaging. 

The event is taking place at Fira de Barcelona’s 51,217-net-square-meter Gran Vía Venue between May 6-8.

A total of 2,187 companies from 87 countries and 68 national and regional pavilions are exhibiting this year, totaling an estimated economic impact of...

Russia Increases 2025 Seafood Exports to South Korea

This year, Russia is increasing its fish exports to South Korea, reaching record figures compared to the last two years, according to Russian media reports and recent data from the South Korean statistics agency.

In March, Russia exported 31,400 tons of fish and seafood to South Korea, which became one of the highest figures in the last several years and showed a 30% increase compared to February 2025.

The bulk of supplies accounted for frozen fish (26,100 tons), fish fillets (2,700 tons) and crab (2,000 tons).

Currently, Russia remains the second main...

Russian Fishermen to Significantly Increase Fish Exports to Brazil

This year, Russian fishermen plan to significantly increase their fish exports to Brazil, as part of their plans for market diversification.

For example, the local K-Flot, one of Russia’s largest fish holdings, has begun the procedure for certifying its fleet for the requirements of the Department of Inspection of Products of Animal Origin (DIPOA) of Brazil.

As an official spokesman of K-Flot said in an interview with the Russian Vedomosti business paper, the first shipments of cod to Brazil will begin already by the end of 2025...

Reciprocal Tariffs Impact Japan's Yellowtail and Scallop Exports

On April 2, the White House announced it would impose reciprocal tariffs on imports worldwide. The first round of tariffs—a flat 10% for all countries—took effect on April 5 at 12:01 a.m. EST. The second round—targeting a total of 57 countries and regions, including Japan and the European Union—imposes different tax rates for each country and region effective today, April 9, at 12:01 a.m. EST. Japan's total tariff will be 24%, Minato Shimbun reported.

Per the tariff rules, any goods loaded onto a ship at the...

Russian Fishermen Plan to Double Pollock Roe Supplies to China This Year

This year, Russian pollock fishermen plan to double roe supplies to China, with the aim of increasing exports five times over in the next few years.

As part of these plans, Russia will supply up to 1,000 tons of pollock roe to China this year. Meanwhile, in the next two to three years, this figure may increase to 5,000 tons.

In an interview with the Russian business paper Kommersant, an official spokesman of the Russian Pollock Association said that the first big contracts for such supplies could be...

Leading Russian Fish Producers and Processors Expect Further Revenue Decline in 2025

As a result of the unfavorable market environment and the improved strength of the ruble, Russia’s leading fish producers and processors are anticipating a further revenue decline this year.

According to recent statements made by Herman Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with the Russian Vedomosti business paper, there is a high possibility that negative trends that appeared in the Russian fish sector in 2022–2024 will intensify later this year. Zverev stated that, in the case of pollock fishing...

Russia Hopes to Significantly Increase its Fish and Seafood Exports in 2025

Russia is hoping for a significant increase in its fish and seafood exports this year after seeing a decline in both areas in 2024.

According to recent statements by Ilya Shestakov, head of Rosrybolovstvo, the Russian agency hopes for export increases in terms of both value and volume.

In value terms, the growth of exports may be equivalent to US$5.7 billion.

Shestakov said, “Based on the results of last year, exports amounted to 1.9 million tons. This is slightly less than in 2023. In terms of value..."

Russia Increases its Live Crab Exports to China in 2025

This year, Russia is increasing its exports of live crab to China—an uptick which coincides with a stable local demand and high export profits.

As a rule, live crabs account for 80% of Russia’s overall crab exports to China, with the majority of crab entering through the ports of Primorye and transported by road to the city of Hunchun before being distributed throughout China.

According to Russian research agency Agroexport, China imported a total value of US $1.3 billion in crab and shrimp from the Russian Federation during...

Japan: January Exports up 54% in Volume, 26% in Value; Frozen Scallop Exports Doubled to US

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on February 27, January fishery product exports (including fishmeal and fish and shellfish products) increased 54% in volume and 26% in value compared to the same month last year, amounting to 25,321 tons and 20,396 million yen ($135.42 million). Frozen scallop adductors increased in both volume and value. Frozen yellowtail fillets increased as well.

Minato Shinbun reported that, of the frozen scallops, scallop adductors increased 46%, amounting to 1,104 tons, and 2.4 times in...

Norway’s 2024 Seafood Exports Rank as Best Year Yet

According to a statement from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway experienced its highest ever seafood export value in 2024, with a total of 2.8 million tonnes of seafood products exported, amounting to NOK 175.4 billion (approximately $15.4 billion).

Upward trajectory for Norwegian seafood exports

This marks a 2% increase from 2023, when the Scandinavian country experienced a seafood export value of NOK 171.7 billion (approximately $15.08 billion). The NSC recorded seafood exports of more than 60 different species to over 150 countries worldwide...

Russia Aims to Become One of the World’s Top Black Caviar Exporters Within the Next Several Years

Russia aims to become one of the world’s largest exporters of black caviar within the next several years. This will be done by increasing domestic output and expanding its overall supply geography.

In 2024, black caviar production in the Astrakhan Region—one of the centers of sturgeon fishing and farming in Russia—reached almost 25 tonnes. According to Ruslan Pashayev, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Astrakhan Region, this is 5% more than a year earlier, and there is a possibility that the...