Russia boosts exports of fish, seafood to Japan 11% in 2025 to $952 mln - Fish Union

MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Russia supplied fish and seafood to Japan worth $952 million in 2025, up 11% compared to the previous year, while in physical terms exports grew 9% to 118,000 tonnes, the Fish Union said, based on an analysis of Japanese customs statistics data.

Supplies of frozen pollock increased 2.1-fold to 1,700 tonnes and 2.3-fold in monetary terms to $3 million. Such growth occurred due to a low base the previous year.

Supplies of pollock roe increased 3% to 22,000 tonnes and decreased 3% in value to $109 million. "Japan is the largest foreign market for Russian pollock roe. For example, in 2024 it accounted for 56% of exports from Russia," the Fish Union said.

Exports of surimi grew 35% to 25,000 tonnes and 55% to $60 million. This may be related to a 27% increase in the production of pollock surimi on vessels at sea, to 93,000 tonnes. Supplies of pollock fillets increased by a quarter to 6,000 tonnes and 30% to $20 million. Production of pollock fillets on vessels in 2025 grew 26% to 102,000 tonnes.

Supplies of frozen snow crab (opilio) decreased 10% to 12,000 tonnes, but their value increased 10% to $228 million. Exports of Kamchatka crabs decreased 35% to 2,800 tonnes and 20% to $89 million.

As reported by the union, exports of live sea urchin remained at the 2024 level of 9,000 tonnes, but its value increased 10% to $91 million. Supplies of squid, due to a low base effect, increased sevenfold to 3,000 tonnes and thirteenfold in value to $11 million.