Obstacles to the Russian fishing industry named

The production of highly processed fish products in Russia is hampered by export restrictions. Representatives of the Association of Fishing Fleet Shipowners (ASRF) named obstacles for the industry, they are quoted by Interfax.

In January-February 2024, the production of fish products in the Russian Federation increased by 14.3 percent in annual terms, to 763 thousand tons. According to Rosstat, the production of frozen minced meat, surimi and sea fish fillets increased by 16.7 percent, to 90 thousand tons, and fishmeal – by 15.7 percent, to 39.7 thousand tons. Despite the increase in indicators, the share of highly processed products remained 1.7 percentage points below 2022.

The ASRF explains the reduction in the share of highly processed products by the unstable situation in foreign markets and the reduction in demand against the backdrop of the closure of the US market and sanctions from the EU and the UK. Reorientation to the markets of friendly countries makes it possible to increase export volumes, however, in China, countries of Africa and the Middle East, they traditionally consume uncut fish products, experts noted.

According to the head of Rosrybolovstvo, Ilya Shestakov, in 2023, the volume of imports of fish and seafood into Russia increased by 18 percent in annual terms and reached a level of 656 thousand tons. In monetary terms, the figure increased by six percent compared to the 2022 level. The key suppliers of fish and seafood to Russia are Belarus, the Faroe Islands, Chile, China, Vietnam, Ecuador, India and Peru.