December 1, 2022 — The Association of Ukrainian Fish and Seafood Importers was established in 2013 as a non-governmental organization with the purpose of protect the rights and interests of seafood importers. It currently has 27 member-companies
In an interview with independent journalist Viktor Sagaydak, the organization’s head, Dmitry Zagumenny, discussed how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected the country’s seafood industry and the biggest challenges the industry currently faces.
October 27, 2022 — Despite facing a slew of international sanctions, Russian seafood exports increased year-over-year first seven months of 2022 in both value and volume.
However, a slowing of its seafood trade in recent months could be a warning sign trouble lies ahead.
During the first half of 2022, Russia sold 1.1 million metric tons (MT) of seafood in overseas markets, up 18 percent compared to the corresponding period of 2021. In sum, Russia’s exports were worth USD 2.9 billion (EUR 3.16 billion), an increase of 21 percent, the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries said.
October 12, 2022 — New measures restricting Russian fishing boats’ access to Norway to just three ports are being introduced by the Norwegian government.
Norway said it plans to swiftly implement the move to prevent Russian vessels from circumventing sanctions implemented in response to the invasion of Ukraine, according to Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.
October 11, 2022 — Russian seafood exports continue to flow into Japan, despite revoking Russia’s most-favored-nation status in March 2022 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The total value of all of Japan’s imports of Russian seafood in 2020 was JPY 103.9 billion (USD 900 million, EUR 900 million), representing about 7 percent of Japan’s seafood imports.
September 28, 2022 — Russia has adopted a new Agriculture and Fishery Development Strategy, after its previous strategy was rendered obsolete by the geopolitical upheaval caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February.
The new strategy is part of a larger economic plan geared toward achieving higher domestic growth rates following sanctions leived by European Union, United Kingdom, and the U.S levied against Russia. Another key part of the new plan, according to the note, is enhancing the nation’s food security and increasing its food exports.
July 7, 2022 — The European Parliament will provide financial help to European Union fisheries and aquaculture sectors struggling with the economic consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including giving compensation to those who have had to stop operating or whose economic viability is threatened.
On Wednesday, 6 July, 2022, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) adopted a measure to support fishers who have had to cease their activities due to the war in Ukraine as well as producers and fishing and aquaculture operators whose activities have been disrupted as a consequence of the conflict.
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June 15, 2022 — The Russian government has amended several fisheries-related regulations, including postponing for two years a vessel-construction requirement contained in its investment-quota program.
Russia has also abolished the mandatory conversion of revenue earned by exporters via foreign trade into rubles, and has allocated RUB 153 billion (USD 2.7 billion, EUR 2.5 billion) in direct aid to its agricultural and fisheries sectors to fortify them as they cope with the tightening financial vise of global sanctions put in place following the country’s February invasion of Ukraine.
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June 3, 2022 — The future of the Russian seafood market remains unclear as the country’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with a decline of household incomes forcing a rebuild of business models in premium segments.
The economic uncertainty that emerged in late February and early March due to sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine led the government to quickly tighten its control over consumer markets. The Russian ruble also heavily depreciated against the euro and U.S. dollar, which coincided with an exodus of major Western brands from Russia, all of which have hurt economic stability and impacted consumer behavior.
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May 16, 2022 — The U.K.’s restaurant and hospitality industry is asking for financial help as it faces higher taxes and rapidly rising seafood prices due to inflation and impending Russian sanctions.
The U.K. government issued sanctions against Russian goods – including the installation of a 35 percent tariff on whitefish – in March. In April, a government official said the sanctions had been “delayed while we sort some technicalities,” but noted “we are totally committed to them,” per Politico.
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May 10, 2022 — Rising seafood prices and consumer concerns about overall inflation in the U.S. continued to harm fresh seafood sales in April, according to new data.
However, frozen seafood sales rose 2.8 percent and shelf-stable seafood sales jumped 9.6 percent for the month, compared to April 2021, according to IRI and 210 Analytics.
Read the full story at SeafoodSource