Smoked fish market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Russian smoked fish market experienced growth driven by the entry of new players and investments from major producers. Changes in legislation related to sanctions began influencing import and export flows, encouraging domestic production. In 2019, tightened requirements for imported products further stimulated local manufacturing, supported by investments in large production facilities and modernization. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused logistics disruptions, temporarily reducing output to 65 432 tonnes, but it also accelerated a shift toward domestic supply chains. By 2021, production rebounded to 69 789 tonnes, aided by new labeling and packaging rules that improved transparency and ongoing investments in capacity expansion and new product launches.

The market expanded sharply in 2022, with production rising to 72 152 tonnes, as import restrictions due to sanctions boosted the share of domestic smoked fish. State policy supporting local production and stricter quality control measures reinforced this trend. Output continued to grow, reaching a peak of 79 524 tonnes in 2024, before declining to 74 070 tonnes in 2025. Throughout this period, the industry adapted with the emergence of new product segments and a shift toward online sales channels.

Production smoked fish in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Russia produced 69 789 tonnes of smoked fish, marking a modest 6.7% increase from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 65 432 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.3% during this timeframe.

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

Exports smoked fish from Russia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Russia exported 457 tonnes of smoked fish, representing a significant 13.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 16.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 438 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 20.2%. In contrast, 2020 saw the biggest increase of 20.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the two leading markets for Russia's smoked fish exports in volume terms were Belarus and Kazakhstan, together accounting for 84.1% of total exports. The remaining volume was distributed among a variety of other countries.

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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Russia's smoked fish exports in value terms declined in 2021, reaching 2 509 thousand US dollars, a slight 1.1% decrease year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, however, exports increased by 19.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 2 538 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the core markets for Russia's smoked fish exports in value terms were Belarus, accounting for 48.4%, Kazakhstan with 24.8%, and Uzbekistan at 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 80.4% 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 smoked fish to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The market for smoked fish imports into Russia showed considerable volatility during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 1 929 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.9%. In 2021, imports surged to 4 356 tonnes, a steep 74.3% increase from the previous year, marking the peak volume. The difference between the highest and lowest points was 2.3 times.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus was the dominant supplier of smoked fish to Russia in volume terms, capturing 98.8% of total imports.

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, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Russia's smoked fish imports in value terms rebounded in 2021, totaling 16 663 thousand US dollars, an abrupt 55.7% rise compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 5.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 10 699 thousand US dollars, while 2019 experienced the largest decline of 21.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus overwhelmingly dominated Russia's smoked fish imports in value terms, accounting for 98.0% of the total.

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

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