Russian fishing companies expect to soon conclude the process of getting access for their products to the markets of India, Pakistan and South Africa, the chairman of the Fish Union, Alexander Panin said at a briefing.
“In the last two years Russia has expanded the geography of fish product exports, entering the markets of nine new countries, including countries such as Namibia, Syria, Mexico and Kuwait. Countries to the markets of which we plan to soon conclude the process of gaining access are India, Pakistan and South Africa,” Panin said.
The markets of about 140 countries are already open to Russian fish products.
Russian fish products exports fell 20% year-on-year to about 1 million tonnes in the first half of 2024 and dropped 25% by value to $2 billion, Panin said, remarking that relevant export figures are only available for this period at this point.
Exports continued to be led by frozen Alaska pollock (headless) with a share of about 45% by weight and 20% by value. Other major exports were frozen herring, Pacific sardines, pollock fillet, cod and crab.
The main markets for Russian fish in the first half were China and South Korea. Exports to China fell to 613,000 tonnes worth $1.024 billion from 656,000 tonnes worth $1.147 billion a year earlier, and exports to South Korea plunged to 269,000 tonnes worth $631 million from 420,000 tonnes worth $921 million.
“It is unlikely that this year’s figures for fish exports will exceed last year’s level,” Panin said.
Commenting on the impact export duties have had on the industry, he said fishing companies are counting on the duties not being extended in 2025.
“Fishers get less money because of them, so the issue of lifting the export duty is more an issue of supporting Russian fishers in ever worsening economic conditions. It’s a financial support measure. And given that fishers have a very high level of indebtedness related to investment quotas, that next year they will also have to pay huge money for fishing grounds for Far Eastern salmon, we understand that this is simply a catastrophe,” Panin said.
Panin also said that imports of fish and other seafood slumped 10% year-on-year to 420,000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2024, and fell 15% to $1.3 billion by value. The largest exports to Russia were China with 82,000 tonnes worth $286 million and Turkey with 53,000 tonnes worth $295 million.
Source: interfax.com