Chapter 5: Russia’s Role in International Fish and Seafood Trade

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter sheds light on Russia’s changed role in the international seafood trade system and discusses to what extent the new more export-oriented turn is sustainable. Russia’s seafood trade policy has changed significantly over time, from directing just about all of the production to the domestic market during the Soviet period, to increasingly pursuing a dual strategy as both an importer and exporter from 2000 onwards. The first section gives a brief account of Soviet-era seafood production and trade. The second part offers a perspective on seafood trade during the early post-Soviet period. The third part examines how the introduction of Food Security Doctrines and the 2014 embargo have influenced Russia’s seafood trade. The final section provides an outlook for the future. Similar to agriculture, concerns over food security are likely to lead to a reduced role as a seafood importer and a larger role as a seafood exporter. The structure of Russia’s seafood exports will continue to tilt towards Asian markets, with European markets assuming a secondary role.