Egypt sharply increases purchases of Russian herring - VARPE

MOSCOW. Oct 14 (Interfax) - Egypt purchased 5,600 tonnes of herring in Russia in H1 2026 compared to 100 tonnes for the same period of 2025, the Russian Fisheries Association (VARPE) said.

"Egypt is increasing purchases of Russian herring. Over the past two years, supplies have grown twofold in physical terms, reaching 6,400 tonnes in 2025. In the first half of the current year, Egypt was the fastest-growing market for Russian herring. Supplies reached 5,600 tonnes compared to 100 tonnes for the same period of 2025," VARPE said.

"Egypt is one of the largest consumers and importers of fish on the African continent. Annually it imports about 50,000 tonnes of herring, and for Russia, as the largest herring catcher in the world, this market is of interest. We currently classify this country in the category of so-called new markets; permission for supplies was obtained in December 2020, and actual shipments began in 2023. The number of Russian companies accredited for imports into Egypt is consistently growing, which has a positive effect on the dynamics of supplies," VARPE President German Zverev was quoted as saying.

At the same time, what is currently at issue is more the redistribution of flows of Russian herring supplied to Africa rather than growth in the importance of the African market in total supplies, Zverev said. While exports to Egypt are growing, supplies to other African herring-consuming markets are declining. For example, exports to Cote d'Ivoire decreased 37.5% to 6,500 tonnes in January-May.

According to VARPE, Russian fishermen are in tough competition with Norway, which was historically the largest supplier of herring, on the African market. Nevertheless, the market's potential is high, VARPE said. As a study conducted by VARPE in 2024 showed, supplies to Africa may grow twofold in physical terms by 2030, to 134,400 tonnes.