Sales of shellfish have increased sharply in Russia; who started buying and why?

A study conducted in the first seven months of 2024 observed a significant growth in retail sales of various shellfish in Russia, with frozen scallops and squid experiencing the highest increase of 54.5% and 50.4% respectively, and mussels also showing a notable growth of 2.4%. The shellfish category as a whole saw a 19.11% increase in physical terms and 25.18% in monetary terms, outpacing the overall food market growth. This surge in demand is largely driven by the rising popularity of Pan-Asian cuisine, the trend of self-indulgence during the pandemic, and the appeal of ready-to-eat products. Additionally, there has been a notable growth in the production of mollusks and invertebrates in Russia, with a 77.5% increase in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. There has also been a shift in the source of supply, with a decrease in imports of mussels from China and an increase in domestic production, indicating a potential future decrease in imports of these products.