Frozen Pacific Mackerel: Value Doubles Amid Supply Gap from Traditional Sources
Frozen Pacific mackerel was the standout product with the strongest growth in Q1. In the first quarter, Russia imported approximately 25,000 tonnes of Chinese frozen Pacific mackerel. The import volume rose 9% year-on-year, while the import value reached USD 17 million, surging 110% year-on-year. The growth rate of value far outpaced that of volume.
Two practical factors account for this trend. First, overall mackerel prices climbed in the global market, lifting procurement costs. Second, traditional supply sources have contracted. The Faroe Islands, a major producer of Atlantic mackerel, exported 34,000 tonnes of frozen Atlantic mackerel to Russia in 2025, down 25% year-on-year. Reduced supplies of Atlantic mackerel have forced Russia to increase purchases of Chinese Pacific mackerel to fill the market gap.
Saury Imports Surge, While Trout Faces Competition from Overseas Rivals
Frozen saury also saw robust growth. Russia imported 5,000 tonnes of frozen saury from China in Q1, representing a 50% year-on-year increase in volume and USD 10 million in value, up 40% year-on-year. Both consumption volume and procurement value registered notable expansion.
However, growth was not universal across all seafood categories. Frozen trout encountered competitive pressure: Q1 imports stood at roughly 2,000 tonnes, nearly flat year-on-year, with value edging up only 5% to USD 15 million. Industry sources noted rising imports of frozen trout from Turkey, which directly compete with Chinese trout and cap growth potential for Chinese products.
For the full year 2025, Russia imported 96,000 tonnes of seafood from China worth USD 410 million, rising 9% and 5% year-on-year respectively, laying the groundwork for the strong Q1 growth this year.
Shift in Trade Patterns Elevates Status of Asian Suppliers
Behind the shifting trade landscape lies a reorientation of Russia’s seafood sourcing. With tightening trade restrictions from Western countries, Russia has markedly tilted its seafood imports toward China and other Asian markets. Import volumes of frozen mackerel, saury, processed pollock and various processed fish products keep expanding.
Chinese enterprises have now become one of the core suppliers of frozen seafood for Russia, offering products covering multiple segments including small pelagic fish, processed seafood and frozen ready-to-eat retail seafood.
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