Русский
Russia exported 118,000 tonnes of fish and seafood to Japan, up 9% in 2025, valued at US$952 million (up 11%) compared to the previous year, according to Japanese customs data. The Russian Fish Union said that “Supplies of pollock roe increased 3% to 22,000 tonnes and decreased 3% in value to US$109 million. Japan is the largest foreign market for Russian pollock roe. For example, in 2024 it accounted for 56% of exports from Russia.” Pollock roe is commonly used as the red fish eggs found on numerous sushi and sashimi dishes.
Exports of surimi grew 35% to 25,000 tonnes and 55% to a value of US$60 million. This may be related to a 27% increase in the production of pollock surimi from vessels at sea, to 93,000 tonnes. Surimi is a processed fish paste made from minced white fish (often pollock) that is washed, refined, and blended with additives like starch, sugar, and cryoprotectants for preservation. It acts as an affordable, high-protein, and versatile ingredient used to mimic the texture and color of shellfish such as crab, lobster, and scallops in products like sushi, salads, and fish cakes.
Supplies of pollock fillets increased by a quarter to 6,000 tonnes and 30% to US$20 million. Production of pollock fillets on vessels in 2025 grew 26% to 102,000 tonnes.
Russian exports of frozen snow crab (opilio) decreased 10% to 12,000 tonnes, but their value increased 10% to US$228 million. Exports of Kamchatka crabs decreased 35% to 2,800 tonnes, to a value of US$89 million. Exports of live sea urchin remained at the 2024 level of 9,000 tonnes, with the value increasing 10% to US$91 million. Supplies of squid, due to a low base effect, increased sevenfold to 3,000 tonnes and thirteenfold in value to US$11 million.
