BRICS countries accounted for 59.2 per cent of Russia’s fish-export volume and 52.4 per cent of its export value in 2025, the Federal Agency for Fisheries said on September 15.
China remained the largest buyer, with Russian supply volumes continuing to increase, the agency said, citing the Association of Fishery Enterprises of Russia (ASRF). The agency did not provide absolute tonnage or export value in its September 15 update.
Export volumes to Brazil rose almost fourfold as Russian clipfish and cod shipments began. The agency did not specify the comparison period or the volume shipped.
Russia began exporting fish and fish products to Brazil earlier in 2026, initially in small volumes. Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut identified pollock, cod and herring as priority products in February, while also pointing to high Brazilian import duties.
Federal Agency for Fisheries head Ilya Shestakov and Brazilian Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture Rivetla Edipo Araujo Cruz discussed market access in August. Russia proposed simpler attestation procedures for its producers and lower import duties.
At that time, 68 Russian companies and vessels were authorised to supply Brazil. Products identified as having export potential included pollock, cod, haddock, herring, surimi and crab products. A VARPE study estimated potential Russian fish exports to the country at 32,300 tonnes per year.
China, Brazil, India and Egypt have been identified by Russian industry representatives as markets where revised tariff conditions could support further sales. VARPE said Russian fish exports to BRICS countries rose 1.5 times between 2021 and 2024 to $3.1 billion.
Government, scientific, business and foreign delegates are due to discuss trade expansion on September 18 at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre in St Petersburg. The round table, "BRICS fish routes. The potential of Russian exports to the countries of the association", forms part of the International Fishery Forum.
A separate BRICS+ business session on new supply chains identifies import duties and veterinary recognition as barriers, along with logistics gaps and the need for permanent cooperation mechanisms. Participants in that session are expected to consider creating a Fisheries Working Group under the BRICS Business Council to help align requirements.
The Federal Agency for Fisheries expects exports to BRICS members to grow as Russian exporters add products and markets. Russian Agriculture Ministry planning figures cited by VARPE project a 17 per cent increase in the value of fish shipments to BRICS countries by 2030.