Fish fillets and other fish meat market in Russia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, production of fish fillets and other fish meat in Russia increased steadily, rising from 199.1 тыс. т to 306.0 тыс. т. This growth was primarily driven by the state investment quota program for vessel construction and shore-based plant development, which expanded domestic processing capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further supported local production as logistical constraints reduced imports, while consumer interest shifted toward longer-lasting products like preserves. By 2021, the reinforcement of domestic producers' role amid import restrictions and changing preferences toward convenient, economical options continued to push output higher.

A turning point occurred from 2022 onward. Although production reached a record 352.7 тыс. т in 2022 and remained strong, the domestic market size began to contract sharply, falling from 210.0 тыс. т in 2021 to 105.4 тыс. т in 2024. This divergence was largely due to sanctions and currency fluctuations, which redirected a growing share of production to export markets while domestic sales of fish fillet dropped by 25.1% in 2022 as purchasing power declined. Consumer preferences also shifted toward more affordable options like fish preserves, whose sales grew nearly 18% in 2023, further altering the product mix within the shrinking home market.

In 2024, production recovered to 361.6 тыс. т, with frozen fish fillet output rising 5%, aided by a record 32% surge in sales of fresh fish in major retail chains reflecting revived consumer demand. Industry events such as the Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo facilitated technological adoption and sector development. Production continued to expand in 2025, reaching 400.7 тыс. т, underscoring the industry's ongoing transformation toward greater self-sufficiency and export orientation.

Production fish fillets and other fish meat in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's production of fish fillets and other fish meat has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, output reached 306.0 thousand tonnes, which represents a significant 34.6% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 53.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports fish fillets and other fish meat from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's exports of fish fillets and other fish meat have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 145.6 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 45.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 39.2%, with an average annual rate of 11.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 91.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.5% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Russia's fish fillets and other fish meat exports in volume terms were South Korea, accounting for 42.0% of exports, the Netherlands with 22.8%, and Germany at 11.0%. Together, these three countries made up 75.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's export value of fish fillets and other fish meat has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 613.2 million US dollars, marking a substantial 44.7% increase compared to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 59.7%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, the Netherlands was the top buyer of Russian fish fillets and other fish meat in value terms, representing 34.8% of exports, followed by South Korea at 27.4%, and Germany with 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports fish fillets and other fish meat to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Russia's imports of fish fillets and other fish meat rebounded in 2021. Import volume stood at 78.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a strong 22.7% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 12.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 64.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 8.1% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In the 2018-2021 period, the leading sources for Russia's imports of fish fillets and other fish meat in volume terms were Vietnam, contributing 29.6% of imports, China with 23.7%, and the Faroe Islands at 16.9%. Together, these three accounted for 70.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Russia's import value of fish fillets and other fish meat increased in 2021. Imports totaled 263.1 million US dollars, up by 36.3% year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 span, import value grew by 15.0%, equating to an average annual rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 192.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 14.2% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China was the primary source for Russia's imports of fish fillets and other fish meat in value terms, making up 24.4% of imports, followed by Vietnam at 23.0%, and Chile with 18.5%. These three countries jointly accounted for 65.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021