Fish trade turnover between Russia, Middle East grows 22% in 2025 to $107 mln - Fish Union

MOSCOW. Jan 27 (Interfax) - Trade turnover in fish and seafood between Russia and Middle Eastern countries grew 22% in 2025 to $107 million, the Fish Union said based on an analysis of foreign customs services data.

Exports from Russia to the UAE decreased 25% to 300 tonnes, but their value increased 35% to $8 million. Crustaceans formed the basis of exports. Supplies to Israel increased 10% to 75 tonnes, but their value decreased 35% to $0.5 million. The largest shipment to this country was dried and cured fish.

Russia, in turn, imported 300 tonnes of products from the UAE, mainly oysters, fish fillets and shrimp, up fourfold compared to the year before. The value of supplies increased fivefold to $10 million.

Imports from Iran decreased. In physical terms they fell 20% to 16,000 tonnes and in value terms they dropped 15% to $53 million. Russia purchased vannamei aquaculture shrimp and trout from this country.

Shrimp supplies from Saudi Arabia grew almost 1.8-fold to 7,000 tonnes, while their value rose twofold to $31 million.

In addition, 500 tonnes were imported from Egypt (a quarter more than in 2024) worth $4 million (up twofold). The main goods were chilled flounder, frozen octopus and vannamei aquaculture shrimp.