Business
Russia’s Pollock and Cod Exports to China Surge
Russian fish and seafood exports to China rose 15% in volume and 50% in revenue, driven by higher volumes and prices of pollock, cod, herring, and crab.
Key Points
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Russian fish and seafood exports to China grew by 15% in volume and 50% in revenue, reaching 800,000 tonnes and over US$2.6 billion. This growth was driven by higher volumes and rising prices of key species like pollock, cod, herring, and crab. Frozen pollock exports rose 25%, amounting to 432,000 tonnes, valued at US$760 million.
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Frozen pollock fillets increased by 10% to 4,000 tonnes, valued at US$12 million. Strong pollock production at sea remained stable at approximately 70,000 tonnes. Russian surimi exports totaled 14,000 tonnes, generating over US$36 million. Cod exports surged 25% to 57,000 tonnes, with revenues climbing 80% to US$453 million, influenced by reduced Atlantic cod supply.
- Whole herring exports rose 25% to 133,000 tonnes, valued at US$103 million, backed by a 41% increase in Pacific herring fishery catches. Crab exports expanded, with live crab exports increasing 15% to 25,000 tonnes, generating US$709 million. Frozen crab exports rose 40% to 4,000 tonnes, with shipment value doubling to US$84 million.
During the first seven months of 2026, Russian fish and seafood exports to China experienced a notable increase, growing by 15% in volume to reach 800,000 tonnes. Export revenues also climbed significantly, surging by 50% to exceed US$2.6 billion (€2.25 billion/£1.95 billion), as reported by the Russian Fish Union. This robust growth was largely driven by higher export volumes and rising prices for key species such as pollock, cod, herring, and crab, with China serving as Russia’s largest seafood market.
Frozen pollock remained the leading commodity in shipments to China, with exports soaring 25% year-on-year to 432,000 tonnes. The export value of frozen pollock jumped by 70% to US$760 million (€658 million/£570 million). The Russian Fish Union highlighted that the increased global prices for gutted and headless pollock encouraged producers to enhance production and prioritize exports. Frozen pollock fillets also saw growth, with exports rising 10% to 4,000 tonnes and their value increasing by 40% to US$12 million (€10.4 million/£9 million). Production of pollock fillets at sea remained strong, aligning with the previous year’s levels at approximately 70,000 tonnes.
Additionally, Russian surimi exports to China amounted to around 14,000 tonnes, yielding over US$36 million (€31 million/£27 million), although no year-on-year comparison was given. Cod exports demonstrated substantial gains, with frozen cod shipments increasing 25% to 57,000 tonnes and export revenues rising 80% to US$453 million (€392 million/£340 million). The upsurge in cod prices is attributed to a reduced supply on international markets due to a decision by the Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission to cut the Atlantic cod quota in the Barents Sea by 16% for 2026.
Whole frozen herring exports also reflected robust performance, with quantities increasing 25% to 133,000 tonnes and their value rising 30% to US$103 million (€89 million/£77 million). According to the Fish Union, this export growth was sustained by a larger Pacific herring fishery, where catches increased 41% year-on-year to 457,000 tonnes during the first half of the year.
Crab exports continued on an upward trajectory as well. Live crab exports increased 15% to 25,000 tonnes, generating US$709 million (€614 million/£532 million), while frozen crab exports surged 40% to 4,000 tonnes, with their value doubling to US$84 million (€73 million/£63 million). The Fish Union noted that the stronger crab exports were a result of increased harvesting activity, as Russian crab catches climbed 5% year-on-year to 57,000 tonnes in the January to July period.
