Russia increased exports of deep-processed fish products by 17.4%, maintaining leadership in frozen fish

Industry Expertise

May 20th, 2025

In 2024, Russia maintained its position as the world's leading supplier of frozen fish in terms of volume and value and increased exports of the main types of deep-processed fish products - fish fillets and minced fish (frozen, fresh and chilled).

According to international customs statistics analyzed by the Fishery Shipowners Association (FSA), by the end of 2024, Russia exported 1.46 million tons of frozen fish worth $2.4 billion, which ensured it first place among world exporters in terms of both volume and value. China is in second place (1.02 million tons), and Norway is in third (0.66 million tons).

At the same time, the volume of Russian frozen fish exports decreased by 17.3% compared to 2023, and its value - by 21.4%.

The volume of exports of the main deep-processed fish products - fillets and minced fish (including surimi) - increased by 17.4%, amounting to 239 thousand tons. This is the sixth position among world suppliers after Vietnam (755 thousand tons), China (697 thousand tons), Norway (362 thousand tons), the USA (348 thousand tons) and Chile (333 thousand tons).

Russian suppliers continue to focus on increasing the production and supply of deep-processed fish products both for export and for the domestic market. In particular, Russia is actively strengthening its position in the market for pollock surimi mince, the production of which began in the country in 2021. The total volume of surimi exports from Russia in just 11 months of 2024 exceeded the figure for the whole of 2023 by more than 20% (45.7 thousand tons versus 37.3 thousand tons).