Russia Aims to Increase Fish Exports to South Korea in Second Half of 2025 

Russia hopes to increase its fish exports to South Korea in the second half of 2025, after an underwhelming start to the year.  

According to the Association of Fishing Fleet Owners, the volume of Russian fish to the South Korean market decreased by 10% — or 106,100 tonnes — from January to May, compared to the same time last year.  

Despite the decrease, Russian imports to South Korea account for about 27% of the total volume of fish imported to the country, most of which is...

Council Adopts “Housekeeping” Version of Pelagic Trawl Definition for Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska 

By a unanimous vote held yesterday, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted changes to the definition of pelagic gear that skirted the issue of its use on the sea floor. Pelagic trawls are used by the pollock fleet in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. In recent years, frequency of those nets touching the sea floor, particularly in the Bering Sea, have been found to be as much as 85% according to scientific reports commissioned by the Council.  

That has concerned...

Russia Reduces Global Exports of White Fish Due to Sanctions

Russia will reduce global exports of white fish in years to come due to the decline of stocks and sanction pressures.  

According to the Russian Association of Fishing Fleet Owners (AFFO), cod stocks aren’t expected to improve until at least 2028. In the meantime, quotas for its catch are being reduced annually, leading to a reduction in supply and an increase in prices. The total permissible catch of north-eastern Arctic cod, which Russia and Norway catch jointly, has been reduced by 25%. 

According to data from the...

Japan’s Frozen Pollock Surimi Imports Increased 4% in Q1

Japan's frozen pollock surimi imports for the first quarter of 2025 reached a cumulative volume of 15,478 tons, up 4% from the same period last year.

Of that total quantity, 10,953 tons were exported from the U.S., falling 18% year-on-year, while 4,525 tons were exported from Russia, increasing 2.8 times year-on-year. As such, the import volume ratio between the two countries was 71 to 29.

Imported pollock surimi is the main ingredient of Japanese-produced surimi products, with the United States and Russia being the only two...

Russia Actively Increases Exports of Pollock Fillets and Minced Meat

Russia is actively increasing its exports of pollock fillets and minced pollock meat as the demand for such products remains high.

According to Russian newswire Fishnews, the Russian Federal Center stated that exports between January and March 2025 increased by 72% year-on-year, exceeding USD $140 million, with the bulk of supplies accounting for pollock fillets and minced meat. In terms of volume, exports increased by 61%, amounting to 50,000 tons.

Among the largest buyers of Russian fish fillets are the Republic of Korea and China, where the...

GAPP Gets USDA Funds for 2025 Trade Missions, Seeks New Round of Partnership Proposals

The Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), a group focused on marketing and researching Alaska's pollock industry, has been rather active lately, between its receipt of federal funds for exploring emerging markets and the release of its most recent round of Partnership Program funding, for which proposals are now being accepted.

Exploring emerging markets in South America and Asia

Last week, GAPP announced its receipt of federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA-FAS) Emerging Markets Program (EMP) to explore emerging markets...

Russia’s Sakhalin Region Plans to Increase Fish Catch This Year

The authorities of the Sakhalin region, one of Russia’s major fish-producing regions, aims to increase its fish catch this year, according to recent statements from Sakhalin government officials and local media sources.

At present, most of Sakhalin’s fish catch consists of pollock, cod, herring, flounder, navaga, greenling, and Pacific salmon, as well as seafood, crustaceans, and mollusks. While local fisherman caught about 745,000 tons of both fish and seafood last year, Sakhalin authorities hope to increase these figures in 2025, with particular attention on increasing its salmon catch...

Russia to Continue Reorienting Fish Exports from EU to Alternative Markets

According to reports from local media and analysts in the Russian fishing sector, Russia will continue reorienting the flow of its fish exports, originally directed to the European Union (EU), to alternative sale markets, primarily those in Asia.

According to German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), the shift will lead to a shortage in certain fish species in the EU market, particularly for cod and pollock.

In an interview with Russian newspaper Ria Novosti, Zverev said that the current niche, which was previously...

Sluggish Prices for Russian Pollock Roe at Busan Auction; 10% Lower Than 2024

According to a report in the Minato Shimbun newspaper, the bidding for this season's new Russian pollock roe, currently being held in Busan, South Korea, has shown that STD (high-quality) grade roe for Japan has seen prices fall compared to the same period last year.

As of April 3, the highest successful bid price was $6.50/kg, 10% lower than the previous bid session. The average price per kilo was between $5.00 and $5.50, and in many cases, the Russian side's desired price...

Russian Fishermen Plan to Double Pollock Roe Supplies to China This Year

This year, Russian pollock fishermen plan to double roe supplies to China, with the aim of increasing exports five times over in the next few years.

As part of these plans, Russia will supply up to 1,000 tons of pollock roe to China this year. Meanwhile, in the next two to three years, this figure may increase to 5,000 tons.

In an interview with the Russian business paper Kommersant, an official spokesman of the Russian Pollock Association said that the first big contracts for such supplies could be...

Leading Russian Fish Producers and Processors Expect Further Revenue Decline in 2025

As a result of the unfavorable market environment and the improved strength of the ruble, Russia’s leading fish producers and processors are anticipating a further revenue decline this year.

According to recent statements made by Herman Zverev, head of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with the Russian Vedomosti business paper, there is a high possibility that negative trends that appeared in the Russian fish sector in 2022–2024 will intensify later this year. Zverev stated that, in the case of pollock fishing...

Final 2025 Alaska Groundfish TACs Show Drop in Greenland Turbot, Slight Increase in Pollock

The total catch limits have been finalized for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI), with the biggest year-over-year (YOY) decline in Greenland turbot and yellowfin sole.

In all, BSAI total allocable catches (TACs) for 2025 remain at two million metric tons for over 20 species, from the perennially abundant Alaska pollock to the smallest volume-landed shortraker rockfish.

In 2025, the pollock limit increased by 75,000 metric tons (mt) over 2024’s TAC to 1.375 million mt in the Bering Sea. For the...

USDA Awards Nearly $50 Million to Channel Fish, Trident for Pollock Contracts

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $47 million to Massachusetts-based Channel Fishing Processing and Seattle-based Trident Seafoods for just over 21 million pounds of Alaska pollock products.

The USDA purchase award description noted that Trident was awarded a little over $25 million for 10.5 million pounds of pollock products. Meanwhile, Channel Fish landed $22.4 million for pollock products to be distributed throughout the country.

The USDA first announced the pollock purchases in February. Expana reported that the government was eyeing...

Hokkaido January Surimi Production Soared 50% to 800 Tons, Supported Increase in Pollock Surimi

According to a member report compiled by the National Surimi Manufacturers Association based in Abashiri, Hokkaido, the volume of frozen surimi produced in Hokkaido in January was 797 tons, up 49% from the same month last year, due to increased production of the main product, Alaska pollock, and the first increase in six months, reported the Minato Shimbun.

Alaska pollock surimi increased 49% to 794 tons, the first increase in six months. According to a manufacturer, the raw fish landing in...

Over 21 Million Pounds of Alaska Pollock Among USDA’s Latest Seafood Purchase Requests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking bids on various seafood products, including catfish, shrimp, and Alaskan pollock, through Section 32.

The USDA stated that the products, announced in three separate solicitations, will be used in domestic food distribution programs. Bids are due by February 27, and acceptances will be announced on March 6. The largest purchase is focused on Alaskan pollock, with the USDA looking for bids on over 21 million pounds of product. The offerings range from frozen pollock fillets...

Japan’s 2024 Fishery Product Imports Up Slightly by 1% at 2.09 Million MT

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on January 30, the import volume of fishery products (preliminary figures, fish and shellfish and their preparations, fishmeal, and seaweed) in 2024 was 2,093,112 tons, up 1% from the previous year. The import value was 1,947.8 billion yen ($12.71 billion), up 2%.

According to the Minato Shimbun report, Fresh and frozen tuna increased 7% to 175,088 tons, fresh and frozen salmon and trout increased 9% to 219,750 tons, and fresh and frozen shrimp increased 10%...

Channel Fish, Trident Seafoods Awarded Nearly $2M via USDA Contracts for Pollock, Haddock

Channel Fish Processing and Trident Seafoods were awarded contracts worth just shy of $2 million via the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Alaska pollock and haddock products.

All told, the companies will sell the USDA 722,000 pounds of frozen Alaska pollock fillets and sticks, along with 900 cases of frozen haddock for $1.97 million.

Massachusetts-based Channel Fish took home the bulk of the contract for $1.44 million, and snatching the full haddock purchase. The USDA will buy over $530,000...

ASMI Releases 2024 Annual Report Highlighting Global Impacts and Market Challenges 

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has released its 2024 Annual Report, reflecting on partnerships, investments and challenges within the Alaska seafood industry. 

Throughout 2024, ASMI worked to promote Alaska seafood in 36,000 retail stores and 18,000 restaurants across the U.S. – but not without its challenges.  

A Difficult 2024 

According to the August 2024 NOAA Fisheries Alaska Seafood Snapshot Report, the Alaska seafood industry spent much of last year in recovery mode, after suffering a $1.8 billion economic loss from...

Federal Purchases of US Seafood Products Have Increased More Than Five-Fold Over Past Decade

U.S. government purchases of seafood products have risen significantly since 2016, when about $70 million worth of salmon, catfish, and shrimp was purchased by the government for various federal food programs. In 2023, that total was $345 million, just under a five-fold increase in seven years. Estimates for 2024 show even more increases, currently predicted to be just over $360 million.

Purchases of fish and seafood also comprise a growing share of USDA purchases, up from 2% of procured foods...

Russia to Increase Exports of Deep-Processed Fish Products to BRICS Markets

This year, Russia will accelerate its efforts to increase exports of deep-processed fish products to key BRICS partners, among which are India, Brazil, and China.

According to earlier statements made by German Zverev, President of the All-Russian Association of Fish Producers (VARPE), in an interview with Russian media, the biggest export potential is currently observed with pollock fillets, surimi, clipfish, and fishmeal.

Perhaps the biggest hopes are associated with supplies to the Indian market, where Russia estimates the annual supply of pollock fillets could reach...

Russia Reduces its Output of Fish Products This Year

This year, Russia has reduced its production of fish products, mainly due to unfavorable weather conditions, which have led to a decline in pollock catch, the most important fish in the country’s overall fish catch structure.

According to data from the Russian Fish Union’s Analytical Center, the production of Russian fish products in Q1 2025 amounted to 1.16 million tons, which is 3% lower on year-on-year basis. Of these products, frozen fish products decreased by 4%, amounting to 722,000 tons. At the same time, the production of frozen fish...

Russia Wraps up Successful Pollock Fishing Season "A"

Russian fisherman recently completed a successful "A" season for domestic pollock fishing, which led to the growth of catch in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, Russia’s main pollock-producing area of the country, amounting to about 850,000 tons and over 1 million tons for the entire Far Eastern basin.

This was recently confirmed by Alexey Buglak, President of the Russian Pollock Association (ADM), who commented in an interview with the Russian magazine Fish News that despite difficult weather conditions, the growth of catch in the Sea of Okhotsk was...

Russian Fishermen to Significantly Increase Fish Exports to Brazil

This year, Russian fishermen plan to significantly increase their fish exports to Brazil, as part of their plans for market diversification.

For example, the local K-Flot, one of Russia’s largest fish holdings, has begun the procedure for certifying its fleet for the requirements of the Department of Inspection of Products of Animal Origin (DIPOA) of Brazil.

As an official spokesman of K-Flot said in an interview with the Russian Vedomosti business paper, the first shipments of cod to Brazil will begin already by the end of 2025...

The Winding Glass: We Will All Pay the Price for Tariff Stupidity, Incompetence, and Hubris- Opinion

Trump has no tariff plan. Most tariffs are negotiated on specific commodities, with painstaking analysis of costs of inputs, subsidies, and trade balances. Anyone who remembers the imposition of shrimp tariffs in 2004 knows that even though the process was driven by the politics of domestic shrimpers, the actual process was detailed and company specific. As a result, those companies demonstrating a lack of subsidy and realistic cost inputs avoided significant tariffs. Within a short time, the shrimp market was healthy again...

Russia to Increase Total Allowable Catch for 2026

According to recent statements made by representatives of Russian Rosrybolovstvo, Russia will be increasing the total allowable fish catch for 2026. The increase will be based on recommendations prepared by industry scientists, particularly those at some of the country’s leading research institutions in the field of fisheries.

Ilya Shestakov, head of Rosrybolovstvo, said, “It is important that the total allowable catch is set using a precautionary approach, taking into account the recommendations of scientists. In 2026, the catch is planned to be increased by 61,100 tons—up to 3.65 million tons. Recent scientific expeditions have shown an increase in the stocks of a number of species, primarily pollock and herring. Thanks to this, Russian fishermen will be able to increase the volume of their catch.”

Decline of Russian Pollock and Cod Catches Leads to Increased Export Prices in Foreign Markets

Export prices for Russian pollock and cod are steadily growing due to the reduction of catch and deliveries. According to data from Natsiabresurs, the Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise, the sale price of Russian cod on the foreign market in February 2025 was $7.20 per kg, increasing by 24.1% from the previous month and 65.9% year-on-year (y-o-y). In the meantime, a sharp growth of prices has also been observed in the case of other Russian white fish species including pollock...

Russia Planning to Increase Total Fish Catch to 5 Million Tons in 2025

Russian fishermen plan to catch 5 million tons of fish in 2025. However, according to recent statements made by the head of Rosrybolovstvo, Ilya Shestakov, that will largely depend on the results of this year's salmon fishing season.

The planned catch will be higher than that in 2024, which was at the level of 4.9 million tons. Compared to 2023 (5.3 million tons), the decline in catch last year was mainly due to a significant drop in salmon catch (to 235,000 tons from 609,000 tons in 2023 and 272,000 tons in 2022).

As Shestakov has also added, there are currently some problems with pollock catch in the Russian Far East due to the poor ice conditions in the region; however, such a situation may soon stabilize.

US Benefits from EU Decision to Restrict Russian Imports of Pollock Fillets

The U.S. has become the main beneficiary of the European Union’s (EU) decision to restrict imports of Russian pollock fillets via imposition of a 13.7% duty on all Russian supplies.

As Alexey Buglak, head of the Russian Pollock Association (ADM) stated in an interview with the Russian RBC business paper, in 2024, the U.S. became the main supplier of pollock fillets to the EU market.

He also added that, prior to this, China was the main supplier of pollock fillets to the European market with a share of...

Maruha Nichiro Merges US Pollock Subsidiaries

Maruha Nichiro announced the merger of two US-based Alaska pollock subsidiaries, Westward Seafoods and Alyeska Seafoods.

“The merger of the two companies, which have overlapping business operations, will create a more efficient operating structure and increase profitability through production efficiency,” per a notice published by the Japanese seafood giant.

Both businesses were described as Alaska pollock companies that produce surimi, fillets, roe, and meat, along with cod and crab products.

The firm said the merger would not impact its financial results because they are wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries...

North Council Sets Options for Reducing Chum Salmon Bycatch in the Bering Sea