According to the information revealed by expert states that fish consumption in Russia is going to increase as the demand is gearing up. The increase would be no less than 4.7 million tons per year by 2020, compared to the current 4 million tons. Sergey Gudkov, executive director of the Russian Fishery Union, said that 83 percent of the rising consumption should be produced within Russia.
Currently, most of fish consumed in Russia is frozen fish supplied from Murmansk, the Far East, the Kamchatka and Sakhalin. Among the most consumed fish species in Russia are herring, pollock, mackerel and salmon. But the demand for fresh fish, in particular for carp and sturgeon, is high among Russian consumers, however this segment currently remains underdeveloped due to the fact that the majority of such fish currently are sold in specialized markets.
Expert forecast that the demand for chilled fish in Russia will continue to grow during the next several years. At the same time the demand for smoked fish is also high. Smoked sturgeon holds the biggest share in this segment. The demand for canned fish in Russia, which was extremely popular during the Soviet times, currently remains also high. In addition to domestic production, Russia currently imports such types of canned fish as the Latvian sprats, the Icelandic herring, the Chilean mackerel etc.
From November to January is peak time for fish and fish seafood sales in Russia. The consumption habits of Russian consumers are closely related with their income level. The Russians with low income (not exceeding USD$500 per month), usually prefer cod, hake, pollock.
