The PCA includes 35 biggest Russian fishing companies. Associated companies control about 65% of all Rusian pollock catches

Weather Woes and Market Moves: Russia's Pollock Catch Under Pressure

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Tuesday, March 04, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Decline in Pollock Catch in Russia: Reasons and Forecasts

According to the Pollock Catcher Association (PCA), Russia's pollock catch in January 2025 totaled 437.3 thousand tons, a 10% decrease compared to the same period last year. This decline is primarily attributed to adverse meteorological conditions in the Sea of Okhotsk, the primary fishing ground.

Photo: Pollock Catchers Association (PCA)

The Russian fishing fleet experienced significant delays due to prolonged searches for fish aggregations amidst stormy weather. However, an anticipated improvement in weather conditions is expected to boost catch volumes in the near term. Forecasts suggest that the total pollock catch in the Far Eastern basin could surpass 1 million tons by mid-April.

Furthermore, VNIRO experts noted a shift in fishermen's focus towards herring, leading to a 13% increase in herring catches in January. Simultaneously, the production of deeply processed pollock products saw a 17% rise, reaching 7.6 thousand tons. While this growth is positive, these figures remain below optimal levels, highlighting persistent challenges in Russian fish processing.

Increase in the production of pollock-derived products with higher added value

Specifically, since the beginning of the year, the total output of deeply processed pollock products—including fillets, minced meat, and surimi (raw material for crab sticks)—has surged by 17% compared to the corresponding period in 2024, reaching 7.6 thousand tons, as analyzed by the PCA.

Over the past two years, volatile international market conditions have prompted fishing companies to scale back pollock fillet production. This year, however, there's been a shift in supply focus towards the domestic market, resulting in a 7% increase in fillet production compared to the previous year. Notably, surimi production has experienced a substantial 41% increase since the start of the year.

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