Russia exported less seafood in the 11-month period between January and November 2019 – but it was worth more, reflecting the government’s prerogative to increase the value of the national catch.
The country’s total export volume was 1.93 million metric tons in the period, 6.7 percent less than in the corresponding period of 2018, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service. Its value rose to USD 4.92 billion (EUR 4.4 billion), up 3.5 percent.
Exports of fillets decreased 13.4 percent to 101,000 MT and exports of frozen fish declined 8.3 percent to 1.66 million MT. Shipments of crustaceans, mollusks, and other categories of invertebrates increased 20.4 percent to 136,200 MT. Ready-to-eat and canned product exports rose 8.5 percent to 18,200 MT.
Frozen pollock retained the biggest share in the Russian seafood export sector, with 725,500 MT supplied to external markets, 8.3 percent more than in 2018. Exports of frozen herring fell 23 percent, to 138,800 MT.
Meanwhile, Russia increased its seafood imports over the same time period by 2.8 percent to 551,200 MT. Imports declined in value to USD 1.91 billion (EUR 1.71 billion), 4.2 percent less year-on-year.
Frozen fish imports increased by 7.4 percent to 289,300 MT, while imports of Crustaceans, mollusks, and other categories of invertebrates rose 1.4 percent to 56,100 MT. Imports of frozen herring increased by 32.6 percent to 57,700 MT and frozen mackerel imports went up 18.7 percent to 62,700 MT.
Frozen and chilled fish imports fell 8.3 percent to 29,700 MT, while end and canned product imports fell by 4.3 percent to 91,400 MT. Pacific and Atlantic salmon imports fell 20 percent to 40,200 MT and fillet imports dropped 0.9 percent to 60,700 MT.
Photo courtesy of WhiteFox52/Shutterestock
