Russian pollock prices reach record highs, Central European buyers stuck in a stalemate with a $200/ton price gap.

Raw material prices soar, Chinese processors delay signing orders According to foreign media reports, the cost of Russian H&G pollock plus freight (CFR China) spot price in the 50th week increased by $25/ton compared to the previous week, reaching a new historical high. Due to the continuous rise in raw material costs, Chinese processing factories generally refuse to sign contracts for the second quarter of 2026 for double-frozen full fillet block (double-frozen full fillet block) in advance. Several industry insiders revealed that the current negotiation price for some long-term supply contracts is $150–250/ton lower than the spot price, but Russian sellers are not interested in locking in low prices, and prices are expected to continue rising in the first quarter of next year. Three Chinese exporters confirmed that there is at least a $200/ton price difference between European buyers and Chinese processors. Given the current high price of H&G raw materials, this gap is enough to ...