In May, shipments of Russian seafood to EU nations rose by 15% month over month, reaching 19.9 thousand tons and a total value of 65 million euros, according to Eurostat data reported by DEA News. This uptick marks the fourth consecutive month of higher imports from Russia into the European Union, highlighting a sustained demand trend for Russian fish products.
Among the May deliveries, filleted fish accounted for the largest share of purchases, followed closely by frozen fish. The value of these frozen imports stood at 32.7 million euros. Overall, monthly imports climbed 13% to 22 million euros, reflecting stronger consumer and industrial demand. In addition, dried or preserved fish, including pickled varieties, surged dramatically, rising to 8.8 million euros with a growth factor of 3.1 times year over year. Shellfish imports resumed, totaling 947,000 euros for the period.
By the end of May, Russia held the position of ninth among Europe’s top 10 fish suppliers. The Netherlands emerged as the largest single buyer, purchasing Russian seafood valued at 18.5 million euros during the month, underscoring the Netherlands’ central role in the EU fish trade network.
On a separate note, regional discussions within Europe have touched on potential shifts in supply chains, including considerations from Baltic states regarding future access to Russian fish in the European market. These conversations reflect broader trade dynamics and the ongoing scrutiny of cross-border food trade in the region.
Earlier reports also explored preferences within Russia for certain meat types, providing a broader picture of the region’s consumer choices and agricultural export patterns across recent months.