The El Niño phenomenon, alongside a notable decline in anchovy catches in Peru and Chile, has led to a significant increase in demand for frozen sardines from China, causing a surge in the prices of fishmeal and fish oil. This shift has forced Chinese processors to seek alternatives, turning their attention to Russian frozen sardines for protein feed production. As a result, the prices for Russian sardines, iwasi, and other fish products have escalated. Analysts predict that this trend will continue into 2024, affecting global fish product markets.