Tridge summary
Russia has begun supplying minced hake to South Africa for the first time, although the scale is not large.
According to data from the Russian Fishery Union (RFU), which represents several large processing and trading companies, as of the end of August, Russia exported a total of 85 tons of minced hake to South Africa, valued at approximately $300,000 (about €258,900).
This figure, though small, marks the first export of Russian minced hake to South Africa.
Against the backdrop of Russia's seafood being banned from the U.S. market and facing strict restrictions in Europe, the country is actively exploring new markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Meanwhile, Russia's fishmeal production has grown rapidly in recent years—from about 8,000 tons in 2021 to 70,800 tons in 2024.
The All-Russian Fishery Association (VARPE) predicts that Russia's fishmeal production will reach 85,000 tons in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 20%.
The expansion of production and the need for market diversification are the two driving forces behind Russia's initiation of fishmeal exports to South Africa.
At the same time, Russia's exports of hake fillets to South Africa increased fourfold year-on-year to about 370 tons, valued at $1.3 million (about €1.1 million), according to the RFU.
However, during the same period, Russia's total seafood exports to South Africa decreased by 15% to 3,800 tons; the total export value also decreased by 5% to $4 million (about €3.4 million).
Currently, frozen sardines (Iwasi) have become the main category of seafood exported by Russia to South Africa. In 2024, frozen primary processed hake accounted for nearly 40% of Russia's total seafood exports to South Africa.
However, this year Russia has not yet exported any primary processed hake to South Africa, which explains the overall decline in exports.
According to RFU data, Russia is currently the second-largest seafood supplier to South Africa, with a market share of 35% in both export volume and value.
The United States is the largest supplier, with a market share of 45% (by volume) and 50% (by value).
China ranks third, with a 20% share (by volume) and 15% share (by value) in the South African market, likely from products processed using Russian raw materials, according to the Russian Fishery Union.
According to data from the Russian Fishery Union (RFU), which represents several large processing and trading companies, as of the end of August, Russia exported a total of 85 tons of minced hake to South Africa, valued at approximately $300,000 (about €258,900).
This figure, though small, marks the first export of Russian minced hake to South Africa.
Against the backdrop of Russia's seafood being banned from the U.S. market and facing strict restrictions in Europe, the country is actively exploring new markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Meanwhile, Russia's fishmeal production has grown rapidly in recent years—from about 8,000 tons in 2021 to 70,800 tons in 2024.
The All-Russian Fishery Association (VARPE) predicts that Russia's fishmeal production will reach 85,000 tons in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 20%.
The expansion of production and the need for market diversification are the two driving forces behind Russia's initiation of fishmeal exports to South Africa.
At the same time, Russia's exports of hake fillets to South Africa increased fourfold year-on-year to about 370 tons, valued at $1.3 million (about €1.1 million), according to the RFU.
However, during the same period, Russia's total seafood exports to South Africa decreased by 15% to 3,800 tons; the total export value also decreased by 5% to $4 million (about €3.4 million).
Currently, frozen sardines (Iwasi) have become the main category of seafood exported by Russia to South Africa. In 2024, frozen primary processed hake accounted for nearly 40% of Russia's total seafood exports to South Africa.
However, this year Russia has not yet exported any primary processed hake to South Africa, which explains the overall decline in exports.
According to RFU data, Russia is currently the second-largest seafood supplier to South Africa, with a market share of 35% in both export volume and value.
The United States is the largest supplier, with a market share of 45% (by volume) and 50% (by value).
China ranks third, with a 20% share (by volume) and 15% share (by value) in the South African market, likely from products processed using Russian raw materials, according to the Russian Fishery Union.
Original content
Russia has begun supplying minced hake to South Africa for the first time, albeit on a small scale. According to the Russian Fishery Union (RFU), which represents several major processing and trading companies, as of the end of August, Russia exported a total of 85 tons of minced hake to South Africa, valued at approximately $300,000 (approximately €258,900). This figure, though not large, marks the first export of Russian minced hake to South Africa. In the context of Russia's seafood being banned from the U.S. market and facing strict restrictions in Europe, the country is actively exploring new emerging markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Meanwhile, Russia's fishmeal production has grown rapidly in recent years—from approximately 8,000 tons in 2021 to 70,800 tons in 2024. The All-Russian Fishery Association (VARPE) predicts that Russia's fishmeal production will reach 85,000 tons in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 20%. The expansion of production and the need ...
Source: Foodmate
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