Russian seafood exports to China rise 14% to 723,000 tonnes in H1 2026
Russian fish and seafood exports to China reached 723,000 tonnes in January-June 2026, up 14% year on year. The value climbed 52% to almost $2.33 billion as pollock, cod, crab and herring shipments increased.
Export value grows faster than volume
Russian exports of fish and seafood to China increased to 723,000 tonnes in the first half of 2026, 14% more than in the same period of 2025, Fishnews reported, citing the Russian Fish Union. The value of the trade rose by a much stronger 52% to almost $2.33 billion.
The gap between volume and value growth points to higher prices and a shift toward valuable products within the export mix. The Russian Fish Union said all major categories supporting the country's seafood exports recorded growth. China remained the central destination covered by the data, while Indonesia was identified as the second-largest market for Russian haddock.
Pollock and cod lead frozen-fish shipments
Headed-and-gutted frozen pollock remained the largest product by volume. Shipments to China grew 25% to 402,000 tonnes, while their value increased 70% to $699 million. The Russian Fish Union's analytical center linked the expansion to high world-market prices, which are encouraging producers to prioritize headed-and-gutted pollock and increase export deliveries.
Frozen pollock fillet exports also rose 25% to 4,000 tonnes, with their value up 55% to $12 million. Exports of pollock surimi exceeded 12,000 tonnes and were worth more than $32 million. Together, these figures show that growth extended across several stages of pollock processing, although headed-and-gutted fish continued to dominate the trade by a wide margin.
Headed-and-gutted frozen cod exports increased 35% to 50,000 tonnes, and their value doubled to $396 million. Haddock shipments totaled 11,500 tonnes and increased 30% in value to $76 million. According to the Russian Fish Union, high global cod prices are also lifting haddock prices.
Crab and herring add to broad-based growth
Live crab exports to China rose 20% to 22,000 tonnes and 30% in value to $620 million. Frozen crab deliveries expanded even faster in physical terms, increasing 45% to 3,500 tonnes, while their value rose 1.2 times to $77 million. Live crab therefore generated a particularly high share of export revenue relative to its tonnage.
In pelagic fish, exports of whole frozen herring increased 10% in both volume and value, reaching 108,000 tonnes and $81 million. The matching growth rates indicate a steadier unit-value environment than in pollock, cod and crab, where export revenue rose substantially faster than shipment volumes.
Pricing strengthens Russia's seafood receipts
The first-half data indicate that Russia's seafood trade with China benefited from both larger shipments and favorable pricing. Pollock, cod and crab accounted for much of the reported value, while herring provided additional large-volume growth. For producers and processors, strong prices favor products and markets capable of generating higher export returns, but they also increase the importance of product form, processing choices and access to accredited supply channels.
Haddock illustrates the wider market effect. Russian exports to Indonesia rose 70% by weight to 1,200 tonnes and increased 1.3 times in value to $8.4 million. The Russian Fish Union said global haddock prices were rising while Russia's catch was also increasing, giving suppliers an opportunity to expand deliveries beyond China without relying on a single outlet.
