The EU Has To Face It Is Dependent On Russia Fish Supplies

By Rhod Mackenzie
Despite the imposition sanctions and its passionte desire, the European Union is unable to stop importing fish from Russia, with exports to the EU reaching 122,000 tons in the first half of 2025. The primary driver of this growth was pollock fillet, which saw a supply increase of 2.2 times. In light of the current circumstances, it is important to consider the reasons why Europe cannot abandon Russian fish, and to examine the market prospects for Russian producers.
Despite the sanctions, trade continues.
Despite the restrictions and tariffs in place, the European Union continues to purchase Russian energy resources and metals, and remains dependent on Russia for food security. According to the analytical company Kpler, the European Union continued to purchase Russian gas and petroleum products as of November 2025. In 2024, the EU imported $36.29 billion worth of goods from Russia, with the majority comprising fossil fuels, oils, metals and fertilisers.

In addition to its energy resources, Europe continues to purchase food products from Russia. "Wild" fish and seafood constitute a minor yet consistent segment of Russian exports to the EU, with the European Union acquiring fish, crustaceans, shellfish and aquatic invertebrates for $751.74 million in 2024. In financial terms, exports to the EU remained stable in 2025, with Russia selling fillets and fish meat worth €293.3 million ($346.09 million) in the first half of the year. There is no data is currently available for the entire year 2025. But I don't think the numbers will drop in the 2nd half of the year
The EUis a major consumer of fish products from Russia.
The European Union's primary imports of fish from Russia are white fish, including Pacific cod, haddock, and pollock from the Okhotsk and Bering seas (referred to as Alaskan pollock in the international media). European fish processors produce popular semi-finished products from Russian raw materials, such as breaded fillets and fish sticks. These products are supplied not only to the EU but to Not So Great Britain
which imposed 35% protective duties on imports of Russian fish back in 2022, continues to purchase Russian cod, haddock and pollock, but through third party countries. Russian white fish is shipped to China for processing, where it is labelled as having been produced in China and then re-exported to the UK. Cod and haddock as we know are part  of  the classic British dish known as fish and chips hich used to be a cheap wholesome meal but has now become an expensive luxury due to high energy costs and the duties on Russian fish . T
In 2022, the EU imposed sanctions on Russian seafood products, with the exception of premium items such as crabs and caviar. However, in the same year, Europe increased its imports of white fish from Russia at a record pace, and within two years Russian products were crowding out the American suppliers, occupying 27% of the European market. However, as of January 1, 2024, a 13.7% duty was applied to Russian fish imported to Europe. Consequently, fish exports to Europe decreased by 17%. The USA's success can be attributed to its right to export fish duty-free to the European market.

2025 proved to be a more successful year for Russian producers. In the first nine months, exports of fish and seafood increased by 5% in volume and 15% in value, reaching 1.5 million tons worth $4.1 billion. The increase in exports can be attributed to the abolition of Russian export duties on certain types of fish and seafood, which came into effect in 2023.

Furthermore, Russian companies have increased their processing capacities, and as a result, Europe has begun to purchase not just fish, but semi-finished products with added value. This led to a 40% increase in revenue in 2025, solidifying the European market as a prime destination for Russian manufacturers.
The European Union may consume significantly more Russian whitefish than is reflected in its reports. A considerable proportion of products are purchased not directly in Russia, but rather through third countries. In 2022, China, South Korea, Norway and the Netherlands were the primary re-exporters of Russian fish. Following the imposition of EU duties on imports of Russian whitefish, a measure subsequently adopted by Norway, China has assumed a leading role in the processing and further sale of fish products from Russia.
According to the EU Fish Processors and Traders Association (AIPCE-CEP), China exported 345 thousand tons of pollock products to Europe in 2023, 95% of which were produced using Russian raw materials.
An examination of the reasons why sanctions are ineffective.
On average, EU consumers consume approximately 23.7 kilograms of fish per person per year, with 1.75 kilograms of this volume being cod. It is important to note that the majority of these products are produced outside the European Union. In 2024, Europe imported 93% of white fish, and 50% of cod and 70% of pollock were supplied from Russia.

It is not possible for Europe to abandon Russian imports, since American raw fish materials, even with zero duties, are still more expensive than Russian supplies. The fish processing industry is a significant component of the European economy. The products are partially sold within the Union, while significant volumes are exported to China, the United States and Latin America.
It is not possible to obtain raw materials for production within the EU. Despite being almost entirely within the European Union's borders, excluding the Russian portion, the Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted bodies of water. It is imperative that the EU makes a concerted effort to restore Baltic fish stocks. Conversely, the Baltic countries are opposed to the introduction of stricter fishing quotas, as they are concerned that Russia will increase catches in response to the restoration of the fish population.

Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Portugal and Spain are the primary consumers of Russian cod and pollock in Europe. The closure of the Newfoundland fisheries zone by by Canada, due to depletion of stocks, would have left fish processing facilities in Portugal unoccupied, had it not been for the availability of frozen Russian cod. Despite its commitment to anti-Russian sanctions, Poland has not included fish in the list of Russian goods for which duties should be increased, given that producers are 100% dependent on imported raw materials.

European fishermen have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the sanctions imposed on Russia. In May 2025, when the EU imposed sanctions on the main Russian suppliers of gutted whitefish to Europe, Norebo and Murman, the European Association of Fish Processors and Traders (AIPCE-CEP) warned that the industry was already facing rising logistics costs, and new measures against Russian products would raise even more prices. Industrialists called upon Brussels to delay the implementation of any further sanctions.
What does this mean?
The European Union's decision to impose sanctions on Russia may be detrimental to its own interests, as well as those of its producers and the wider economy. However, it is important to note that without Russian fish, it is not possible to meet the seafood requirements of Europe. Consequently, grey schemes are employed in the EU fish market, where Russian fish is labelled as Norwegian or Chinese after processing, thus circumventing duties.

• The market is experiencing a shortage of cod, which is expected to worsen this year. This is due to Russia and Norway agreeing on the lowest fishing quota in the Barents Sea for the last 35 years. Following the implementation of a reciprocal restriction, the EU will be unable to replace Russian cod with imports from Norway. This will result in a price increase for the fish. In light of these considerations, it is conceivable that the European Union will not impose restrictions on Russian fishermen, as any impediment to the export of fish from Russia would have a detrimental effect on the European economy and their diet.