Russian Seafood Exports Surge, Japan Benefits
Russian seafood exports have seen a significant boost, with key products like surimi and pollock fillets experiencing substantial growth in both volume and value. Japan, a major importer, has been a significant beneficiary of these increases.
Surimi exports from pollock surged by 50% in weight and 75% in value, reaching 16,000 tonnes and $41 million respectively. Meanwhile, pollock fillet supplies to Japan jumped by 50% in weight and 55% in value, totaling 3,500 tonnes and $13 million. This growth is part of a broader trend, with Russian fish supplies abroad growing by about 5% annually in volume and 15% in monetary terms.
While frozen king crab exports decreased by 20% in volume, they increased by 5% in value, reaching 7,000 tonnes for $123 million. Live sea urchin exports remained steady at 6,000 tonnes but increased by 15% in value to $61 million. Squid supplies, however, saw a remarkable increase of 23 times in weight and nearly 40 times in value, to 1,400 tonnes for $5 million. Frozen pollock exports also witnessed a tenfold increase in volume and fourteenfold in value, reaching 1,200 tonnes and $2 million.
Japan continues to be a significant buyer of Russian seafood, accounting for 56% of Russian pollock caviar exports in 2024. Despite fluctuations in specific products, the overall trend shows robust growth in Russian seafood exports, with Japan playing a pivotal role in this growth story.
