Russian seafood exports to China surged to $2.33 billion, with pollock exports jumping 25% and live crab exports exceeding $620 million.

According to data from the Russian Fishery Union, Russia’s seafood exports to China reached USD 2.33 billion in January‑June 2026, a year‑on‑year increase of 52%, with export volume hitting 723,000 tonnes, up 14% year‑on‑year. While export volume rose by 14%, export value surged by 52%, pointing to a sharp overall increase in unit export prices. The half‑year export value already accounts for over 80% of the full‑year 2025 figure of USD 2.8 billion.

Frozen Alaska pollock ranks as Russia’s top seafood export item to China. In the first half of the year, exports of frozen Alaska pollock stood at 402,000 tonnes, rising 25% year‑on‑year, and were valued at USD 699 million, jumping 70% year‑on‑year. The 25‑percent volume growth against a 70‑percent value increase reflects a notable rise in unit prices, directly driven by climbing raw Alaska pollock prices this year. Exports of frozen Alaska pollock fillets exceeded 4,000 tonnes, up 25% year‑on‑year, with an export value of USD 12 million, a 55‑percent year‑on‑year gain. Surimi exports totalled 12,000 tonnes, down 25% year‑on‑year, valued at USD 32 million, a 15‑percent year‑on‑year decline. Frozen Alaska pollock saw strong growth in both volume and value, whereas surimi posted drops in both metrics, showing a stark divergence between the two product categories.

Exports of frozen cod reached 50,000 tonnes, growing 35% year‑on‑year, with an export value of USD 396 million, nearly doubling year‑on‑year. Cod quotas in the Barents Sea have been cut by 16%. Despite lower quotas, export volumes increased because Norebo Holding and Murman Seafood, subject to EU export sanctions, redirected cod originally destined for Europe to the Chinese market. Near‑doubling cod export values also stem from high global whitefish prices. Haddock exports came to 11,500 tonnes, down 10% year‑on‑year, yet their value hit USD 76 million, rising 30% year‑on‑year. Lower volume alongside higher value was also fuelled by rising international whitefish prices.

Exports of frozen herring stood at around 110,000 tonnes, up 10% year‑on‑year, valued at USD 83 million, also up 10% year‑on‑year. Pacific herring catch totalled 311,000 tonnes in the first half‑year, a 17‑percent year‑on‑year rise, securing raw‑material supplies for herring exports. Herring saw matching growth in volume and value with largely stable unit prices, in sharp contrast to the steep price hikes for Alaska pollock and cod.

Crab exports delivered an outstanding performance. Live‑crab exports totalled 22,000 tonnes in the first half‑year, up 20% year‑on‑year, valued at USD 620 million, a 30‑percent year‑on‑year increase. Frozen‑crab exports hit 3,500 tonnes, surging 45% year‑on‑year, with an export value of USD 77 million, rocketing 120% year‑on‑year. At USD 620 million, live‑crab export value was second only to frozen Alaska pollock at USD 699 million among all product categories. Though frozen‑crab export volume was merely 3,500 tonnes, its value reached USD 77 million, with unit prices far outpacing other frozen seafood; its more‑than‑doubled export value represented the highest growth rate across all categories. Crabs feature low volume yet high unit value. Combined, live and frozen crab exports totalled nearly USD 700 million, making up almost 30% of Russia’s total seafood export value to China.

Chinese importers and processors are facing changing raw‑material market conditions. Soaring Alaska pollock raw‑material prices lift processing‑cost pressures and may shorten quotation cycles. Cod diverted to China due to EU sanctions has boosted arrivals in China, yet high global whitefish prices keep procurement costs elevated. High‑priced crab products place strains on importers in terms of capital turnover and inventory clearance.

For full‑year 2025, Russia’s seafood exports to China totalled USD 2.8 billion, USD 300 million higher than in 2024, of which frozen fish accounted for USD 1.4 billion, an increase of USD 400 million. The USD 2.33‑billion export value recorded in the first half of 2026 has surpassed 80 percent of last year’s full‑year figure.