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 |
||||||||
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
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