Russia's exports of fish, seafood to China at $3 bln in 11M - Fish Union

MOSCOW. Dec 25 (Interfax) - Russia exported $3 billion worth of fish and seafood to China in 11M 2025, up 10% year-on-year, while in physical terms shipments increased 6% to 1.1 million tonnes, the Fish Union said, based on the results of an analysis of data from China's General Administration of Customs.

In particular, exports of frozen pollock increased 10% to 514,000 tonnes, while the value rose 45% to $670 million. This dynamic reflects the growth of the Russian pollock catch: it grew 7% in 11M to 2 million tonnes, the union said.

Exports of surimi in January-November grew 30% to 29,000 tonnes and 1.5-fold to $65 million. "The increase in export shipments of pollock mince, including surimi, is occurring against the backdrop of a 21% growth in its production on Russian vessels at sea, to 86,000 tonnes," the union said.

At the same time, exports of frozen pollock fillets fell 55% in 11M to 9,000 tonnes and 40% to $20 million.

Cod shipments decreased 15% to 76,000 tonnes. However, export revenue grew by a quarter to $455 million. According to analysts, the rise in cod prices on the global market is caused by the decision of the mixed Russian-Norwegian fisheries commission to reduce the total allowable catch of Atlantic cod in the Barents Sea for 2025 by 23% to 347,000 tonnes (Russia's share is 144,400 tonnes).

The union also said that exports of live crabs to China in January-November grew 10% to 35,000 tonnes. However, export revenue decreased 5% to $970 million. The dynamics of crab exports reflect the situation with the Russian harvest: around 87,000 tonnes of crabs were harvested in 11M, up 9% YoY.

Exports of frozen herring grew 2.2-fold to 200,000 tonnes, while the cost increased 2.6-fold to $145 million. Shipments are growing amid an increase in the Russian catch of Pacific herring, which exceeded 530,000 tonnes in 11M (+37%).