Russia expected to increase surimi production to 85,000 t in 2025, enter Indian market - fisheries association

MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax) - Russia might increase production of surimi, the raw material used to make crabsticks, to 85,000 tonnes this year from 70,800 tonnes in 2024 and enter the Indian market with this product, fishing industry association VARPE said.

India has decided to lower the base customs duty on frozen fish paste (surimi) to 5% from 30%, and at the end of last year Russia and India approved an export certificate form, so the Indian market is now open to Russian fish companies, VARPE said in a press release.

"This is good news for Russian fishers, who are rapidly increasing surimi production. We produced 70,800 tonnes of surimi from Alaska pollock last year and the plan for this year is to increase production to at least 85,000 tonnes," VARPE president German Zverev said in the release.

"In the segment of surimi made from fresh wild fish, we compete only with the United States, but the shorter shipping distance to India gives us an advantage. So there is every chance to win this market. Particularly since we know how to do this - in just a few years Russian fishers achieved leadership on the markets of China and South Korea," Zverev said.

Russia will increase surimi production thanks to the development of pollock processing at sea and at onshore plants, he said. Since domestic demand for this product has already been completely met, Russia could increase exports to 80,000 tonnes by 2030, a VARPE study showed.

Russian fish companies are also interested in exporting other products to the Indian market, Zverev said.

"India is a major processing center and we could supply it with quality wild raw material for subsequent processing. This refers to frozen pollock, cod, salmon and pelagic types of fish. Given India's growing demand for premium seafood, we see potential for supplying wild shrimp, squid and scallops. By-products and fish meal are also promising for export," Zverev said.

However, it will not be easy for Russian fish companies to win a share of the Indian market, he said. The import duty for all suppliers has been lowered only for surimi, while rival fish exporting countries, foremost Norway and Iceland, have customs preferences.