Russia's share of EU pollock fillet market reaches 51% in H1 2026 - Fish Union

MOSCOW. Aug 20 (Interfax) - Russia strengthened its status as the largest supplier of frozen pollock fillet to the EU market in H1 2026, increasing its share in physical terms to 51% from 44% a year earlier, the Fish Union said, based on the results of an analysis of Eurostat data.

Supplies of this product from Russia increased 11% in January-June 2026 to 66,000 tonnes and 34% to $218 million. By August 16, 2026, domestic production of pollock fillet on vessels at sea increased 1% year-on-year to 73,000 tonnes.

At the same time, supplies of U.S. pollock fillet to the EU decreased 15% to 46,000 tonnes, and 10% to $178 million. Exports from China decreased 15% to 19,000 tonnes, while their value remained at the level of H1 2025 - $62 million.

According to the Fish Union, exports of frozen cod from Russia to the EU amounted to 5,200 tonnes worth $47.7 million. The dynamics of these indicators were not provided.

Supplies from Norway decreased 28% to 3,000 tonnes and 6% to $33 million. Against this background, exports from the U.S. increased 5% to 2,400 tonnes and 30% to $18.7 million.

In addition, Russia supplied the EU with 5,300 tonnes of frozen cod fillet worth $63.4 million in H1. The average export price for Russian frozen cod increased 40% YoY, and it rose 30% for Russian cod fillet. This is due, among other things, to the decision of the mixed Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission (JRNFC) to reduce the total allowable catch of Atlantic cod in the Barents Sea 16% in 2026 compared to the previous year's level - to 285,000 tonnes (Russia's quota is 136,000 tonnes), the union said.

Russia also shipped 4,700 tonnes of surimi worth $10.2 million to the EU in H1 2026. According to data as of August 16, domestic production of surimi from pollock on vessels reached 55,000 tonnes.

In total, Russian fish exports to the EU amounted to 94,000 tonnes in H1 2026, which were worth $417 million.

As reported, EU countries planned to include Russian fish and seafood in the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, prohibiting their supplies to the Russian market, but then abandoned this intention.