According to preliminary statistics by the Russian Federation statistical agency (Rosstat), in the first 10 months of 2015, seafood imports into Russia decreased by 39% to 452,600 tons. In which, imports of fresh and chilled fish plummeted 70.2% to 23,400 tons, crustaceans and shellfish imports dropped 50.3% to 37,500 tons. Imports of frozen fish fell 35.5% to 244,100 tonnes. Fish fillets and other fish meat imports decreased by 37.6% to 56,600 tons. Ready to eat and canned fish shipments decreased by 31% to 72,800 tons.
Frozen fish still make up the majority with 53.9% of the total volume of Russia's seafood imports. The second is ready to eat and canned fish (16.1%), followed by white meat fish fillets (12.5%), crustaceans and shellfish (8.3%), fresh and chilled fish (5.2%).
In Russian market, in the late months of 2014 and first quarter of 2015, Vietnam's frozen pangasius seemed to be more consumed than China frozen tilapia products thanks to lower import price by 1-1.2 USD/kilo. However, the devaluation of Russian ruble against the dollar is an obstacle. Besides, consumption declined about 30%. The volume of seafood imports into Russia declined from 15-30% in many months of 2015 compared with the same period a year ago.
According to the statistics of the ITC, in 2015, not only Vietnam pangasius experienced a decrease in imports, but also other fish as frozen tilapia from China faced the same situation with drop of 38%; frozen Hake falling 42-43%; Alaska Pollack fillets got 60.4% reduction, Alaska Pollack frozen fish meat also fell 60.4% compared to the prior year. Proactively reducing the imports, increasing pollock exports is advocated by Russia in the past year.
Russia's instable market for years for Vietnam pangasius products. Vietnam pangasius exports to the market is forecasted to keep falling in 2016.
|
Imports of white fish into Russia in 2015 (thousands US$) |
||||||||
|
HS code |
Products |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
2015 |
2014 |
% change |
|
030461 |
Frozen tilapia fillets |
4,581 |
2,373 |
7,193 |
6,450 |
20,597 |
33,280 |
-38.1 |
|
030462 |
Frozen Pangasius and catfish fillets |
5,262 |
6,997 |
678 |
4,026 |
16,963 |
30,958 |
-45.2 |
|
030366 |
Frozen fish |
6,578 |
6,904 |
4,998 |
2,551 |
2,1031 |
36,323 |
-42.1 |
|
030474 |
Hake fillets |
2,667 |
2,460 |
3,054 |
1,985 |
10,166 |
17,930 |
-43.3 |
|
030475 |
Frozen Alaska Pollock fillets |
3,843 |
2,018 |
1,370 |
1,967 |
9,198 |
23,255 |
-60.4 |
|
030494 |
Frozen Fish meat of Alaska Pollack |
387 |
762 |
2,288 |
1,541 |
4,978 |
16,687 |
-70.2 |
|
030324 |
Frozen catfish |
1,965 |
135 |
474 |
650 |
3,232 |
6231 |
-48.1 |
|
Source: ITC |
||||||||
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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