According to SeafoodNews on April 28, Russia is considering restricting the export of primary processed fish products in order to increase the supply to the domestic market.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko and some senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture expressed this position, although representatives of some of Russia's leading fishermen and analysts criticized it.

They argue that authorities should be more cautious in restricting exports of primary processed fish products, especially pollock, Russia's main commercial marine resource.

German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fishermen's Association (VARPE), said that in order to solve the problem of export restrictions, it is important to know which fish may be restricted for export. For example, frozen cod is a traditional export product of Russia, accounting for more than 40% of total exports. Due to the state's requirement to achieve self-sufficiency in fish products, cod production may have a negative impact on the domestic market.

In 2022, Russia's imports of cod products will drop to freezing point, only 158 tons, less than 1% of the total market, nearly 11 times less than 2021, and 130 times less than 2014.

German Zverev pointed out that the Russian cod fillet market is mainly in Europe. Due to sanctions, the export trade will be further reduced, but the domestic market cannot consume about 90,000 to 95,000 tons of cod fillets.

Russian fishermen also expressed the same position. They believe that restricting the export of primary processed fish products may lead to the withdrawal of Russian fish products from the international market, and will also lead to the bankruptcy of some producers, which will also create conditions for further price increases.