The key facts
- As of 26 October 2026, the herring catch in the Far East reached 602 thousand tonnes against the record of 606 thousand tonnes (1969)
- The catch is 32.3% higher than a year earlier and 2.6 times the 90-year average
- Rosrybolovstvo reported more than 478 thousand tonnes of herring products as of 23 October
Four thousand tonnes away from the historic record
Russian fishermen need to catch about four thousand tonnes of Pacific herring moreto match the historic maximum of 1969. As reported by the Fisheries Union, 602 thousand tonnes of this fish have already been caught in the Far East since the beginning of 2026, against an absolute record of 606 thousand tonnes. As of 26 October, the catch volume was 32.3% higher than in the same period last year and 2.6 times the annual average over the entire 90-year history of observations. For comparison: in 1935, Far Eastern fishermen caught only four thousand tonnes of herring.
Confirmation from Rosrybolovstvo and stock data
The growth in catches was previously also recorded by Rosrybolovstvo: according to the agency, by 23 October Russian vessels had produced more than 478 thousand tonnes of herring products. Scientists, citing the agency's publication, also note an increase in the stocks of the Sakhalin–Hokkaido herring population off the coasts of Sakhalin and the Southern Kurils.
What is happening with prices
The record catch is accompanied by falling wholesale prices: as Life.ru previously reported, in August the average price of Pacific herring was 110 rubles per kilogram, making it one of the most affordable fish in the country. At the same time, the classic salad has become more expensive: by the end of September the cost of the set of ingredients for herring under a fur coat had risen by 4% over the year — mainly due to more expensive vegetables and eggs. Herring fillet itself at retail, according to the outlet, has not risen in price.
