Russia's H1 seafood exports top $2.8b amid challenges

The Fishery Shipowners Association of Russia (FSA) has reported that the country's seafood exports in the first half of 2025 totalled 1.12 million tons, indicating an increase of three per cent compared to the same period last year.

The value of Russia's seafood exports increased by 15 per cent year-on-year during H1 2025, reaching the equivalent of US$2.8 billion. The FSA said this made it possible for local industry to achieve similar totals as in 2023, thus making up for lower figures incurred during 2024.

Exports of processed products such as fillets and minced fish increased by nine per cent year-on-year during H1 2025, as did these products' share of total fish exports (7.5 per cent of total exports compared to seven per cent in 2024).

The FSA has credited the increase in processed product exports to the introduction of new processing vessels and onshore facilities as part of an investment quota program.

Russia's crab exports also increased significantly in H1 2025, with the final total being nearly 19 per cent higher compared to the same period last year. Exports of frozen crab also increased during this time, being three per cent higher than in H1 2024.

"Our country manages to increase exports in the conditions of unfriendly restrictions and embargoes, reorienting itself to new markets and strengthening its presence in key areas," said FSA President Stanislav Aksenov. "But the situation remains difficult to predict, and new restrictions are emerging."