Fresh or chilled flatfish market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled flatfish in Russia saw notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2022. It expanded by 25% in 2019 to 36.4 thousand tons, but this was followed by a sharp 27% contraction in 2020 to 26.5 thousand tons. The market decline in 2020 was primarily driven by logistical disruptions and shifts in consumer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The downward trend continued, with the market volume falling to 22.8 thousand tons by 2022. This later phase of decline coincided with the impact of international sanctions and import restrictions, which strained supply chains. During these years, the market structure evolved with the emergence of new premium segments, such as fresh fish from warm seas, and a broader assortment of flatfish species, reflecting a consumer shift away from frozen products.

Regulatory changes further influenced the market environment. The introduction of stricter labeling and quality control requirements, enhanced veterinary oversight, and tightened standards for storage and transportation aimed to improve product quality but also affected supply dynamics in the latter part of the period.

Production fresh or chilled flatfish in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Russia's production of fresh or chilled flatfish declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 26 562 tons, marking a 27.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 36 403 tons, with the largest year-over-year increase of 24.9% also occurring that year.

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

Exports fresh or chilled flatfish from Russia

Exports in kind, kg

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 16 985 kg, then surged to a peak in 2020 with 54 633 kg, representing a 3.2-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Russia's cross-border shipments of fresh or chilled flatfish grew sharply by 221.7% compared to 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 40.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Belarus remained the dominant markets for Russia's exports of fresh or chilled flatfish in volume terms, together accounting for 95.8% of total flows. Other trading partners played only a minor role during this period.

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

Russia's exports of fresh or chilled flatfish in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 203.4 thousand US dollars, up by 119.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 190.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 42.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and Belarus were the two leading markets for Russia's exports in value terms, together making up 92.5% of the total. The remaining exports were distributed among a variety of other countries.

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 flatfish to Russia

Imports in kind, kg

After two years of growth, Russia's imports of fresh or chilled flatfish in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 18 536 kg, a 32.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 18.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 405 kg, which also saw the largest year-over-year increase of 39.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Russia's imports of fresh or chilled flatfish in volume terms were heavily concentrated, with Morocco accounting for 94.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Russia's imports of fresh or chilled flatfish in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 453.3 thousand US dollars, down by 31.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 32.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 661.9 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest year-over-year increase of 41.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia's imports of fresh or chilled flatfish in value terms were almost entirely sourced from Morocco, which absorbed 96.9% of the total.

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

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020