Russia increased fish exports in the first half of the year, expanding supplies of deep-processed products

July 9th, 2025

By the end of the first half of 2025, Russia exported 1.12 million tons of fish and seafood products, according to the latest data from international customs statistics analyzed by the Fishery Shipowners Association (FSA). This is 3% higher than the same period last year. The value of exports increased by almost 15% (to $2.8 billion), which made it possible to recover from the decline in 2024 and return to the 2023 figures.

The largest increase among fish products was shown by deep processing products (fillets and minced fish), the supplies of which to the world market increased by almost 9% by the end of the first half of the year, while frozen fish exports grew by less than 1%. The share of fish fillets and minced fish in the total volume of fish exports in January-June 2025 increased to 7.5% (from 7% in the first half of 2024). The output of such products has been growing in recent years thanks to new processing vessels and coastal plants built under the investment quota program.

The basis of fish fillet and mince exports is pollock products. Pollock fillet and mince exports increased by 14% in the first half of the year, and their share of the total volume of Russian fish fillet and mince exports amounted to 86%.

Crabs showed significant growth. Their exports increased by almost 19% in the first six months of 2025, mainly due to the growth in live crab supplies (+29%). Frozen crab supplies increased by 3%. After a decrease in crab exports in 2022 amid the closure of the US market and other restrictions, supplies of these products to the foreign market increased due to Asia-Pacific countries.

Our country manages to increase exports in the conditions of unfriendly restrictions and embargoes, reorienting itself to new markets and strengthening its presence in key areas. But the situation remains difficult and difficult to predict, new restrictions are emerging. For example, the inclusion of leading exporting companies from Russia in the sanctions lists. In these conditions, support and additional tools are important for the development of our exports. In particular, it is important to negotiate with the BRICS countries on reducing tariffs for access to these friendly markets, on accelerating the procedures for obtaining permits for the supply of products. We plan to discuss these and other important issues with the industry business and regulators in October at the International Fishery Forum in St. Petersburg.

Aksenov Stanislav

President of the Fishery Shipowners Association