China Approves 13 More Russian Fish Exporters To Supply Chinese Market

China has authorized another 13 Russian fishing companies to supply products to its market, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) said, citing a decision by China’s General Administration of Customs.

This includes six Sakhalin-based companies (including two transport refrigerators) and three from Kamchatka. The rest are from Primorye Territory and the Murmansk and Arkhangelsk regions. The registration of new suppliers was carried out through the Chinese information system CIFER.

As a result, the number of Russian exporters of fish and seafood products to China has reached 939 companies.

According to Rosselkhoznadzor data, in 2025 Russia exported over 1.5 million tonnes of fish and seafood. More than half of the supplies (843,000 tonnes) went to China.

China is the world’s largest total seafood consumer, driven by its massive population and growing middle class, though per capita consumption ranks lower globally but is rising, with trends shifting towards high-end and convenient options. Carp remains a staple alongside increasing demand for shrimp and other species. Recent estimates place China’s total consumption at between 65-70 million metric tonnes, with projections suggesting continued growth. To compare, Russia consumes about 3.5 million metric tonnes of fish annually.

China imports of fish from the European Union and United States have decreased in the face of tariff disputes and more expensive shipping costs due to fuel price rises in these regions.