Fresh or chilled carp market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled carp in Russia expanded consistently from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 13 397 t to 18 152 t. This growth was driven by state policies supporting the fishing industry, including the development of processing facilities and incentives for domestic production. Geopolitical sanctions stimulated local output, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted import logistics, shifting consumer preference toward Russian fish.

Market volume dipped to 15 381 t in 2021 before surging to 22 909 t in 2022. The sharp rebound in 2022 was fueled by new sanctions and import restrictions, which bolstered the role of Russian producers and prompted investments in the sector. Concurrently, new labeling and packaging rules were introduced to enhance market transparency and consumer protection.

In 2023, production and processing of carp continued to grow amid stabilized supply chains and adaptation to sanction regimes, with major companies expanding capacities. By 2024, stricter quality controls and global factors such as currency fluctuations influenced the market, with reported declines in chilled fish output industry-wide alongside ongoing regulatory tightening.

Production fresh or chilled carp in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Russia's production of fresh or chilled carp has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 19 984 tonnes, marking a 12.3% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 57.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh or chilled carp from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia shipped 1 589 tonnes of fresh or chilled carp abroad, representing a 49.4% decline from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 140 tonnes, and the largest year-on-year increase was in 2018 at 287.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan and Ukraine were the primary markets for Russia's fresh or chilled carp exports, together accounting for 90.8% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values experienced notable volatility over this timeframe. The lowest point was in 2017, with the peak in 2019, showing a 3.4-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Russia's fresh or chilled carp exports amounted to 509 thousand US dollars, a sharp 68.0% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 590 thousand US dollars, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 207.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Azerbaijan and Ukraine accounted for 95.4% of Russia's total export value for fresh or chilled carp. The rest was spread across other destinations, each with relatively minor contributions.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020

Imports fresh or chilled carp to Russia

As highlighted in the market overview, Russia did not import any fresh or chilled carp from 2017 to 2020.