Russian Fish Prices Rise as Salmon and Trout Gain Up to 15%
Prices for most popular fish species in Russia were 5–15% higher year on year by the end of summer 2026. Salmon and trout posted the steepest increases, while herring, mackerel and some freshwater fish showed greater stability.
Salmon leads the year-on-year increase
Prices for most popular fish species in Russia were higher at the end of summer 2026 than a year earlier, with the sharpest increases concentrated in salmonids. Associate professor Irina Karapetova of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation estimated that the main categories on the fish market had risen by 5–15% over the year, according to Sfera.fm, citing comments she provided to RIAMO.
Salmon and trout increased by approximately 10–15%, the strongest movement among the species covered. Karapetova linked the rise to higher spending on feed, energy and maintenance at aquaculture farms, as well as conditions in the wild-catch sector and continued demand for salmon. The combination places pressure on both farmed-fish production costs and the supply of premium wild fish.
White fish rises while cheaper species remain steadier
Prices for white fish, including cod, haddock and pollock, rose by an average of 7–10% year on year. Higher logistics costs and restrictions on commercial fishing are weighing on this segment and may reduce available supply. For processors, the increase affects widely used raw materials rather than only premium products, raising costs across frozen fish, fillets and other prepared categories.
Herring and mackerel recorded a more moderate increase of approximately 5–8%. Freshwater species such as carp, crucian carp and pike either rose by around 3–7% or remained at the previous year's level. This divergence indicates that the price pressure is not uniform: relatively abundant and lower-priced species continue to offer buyers a degree of protection from the sharper inflation seen in salmon and trout.
Seasonal supply tightens at the end of summer
Movements since the beginning of 2026 have also varied by species. Salmonids and cod gained another approximately 3–7% during the summer. By contrast, prices for herring, mackerel and some freshwater fish may have stabilized or declined by 1–3%, partly because of a seasonal increase in supply. The figures show that annual inflation and shorter-term summer movements are following different patterns across the market.
Seasonality is supporting prices as summer ends. Stocks of fresh wild fish caught in spring and early summer are gradually being depleted, while new fishing seasons have not yet reached full volumes. Feed, energy and transport expenses add further pressure to the cost of fish products. Imported fish is also exposed to currency movements and international freight costs. The result is a two-speed market: popular higher-priced species face the strongest increases, while more affordable fish with relatively ample supply remains more stable. Processors and retailers must therefore manage rising input costs selectively, while consumers may shift purchases toward herring, mackerel or freshwater alternatives if the premium over salmonids continues to widen.
