The key facts

  • Fish imports from Turkey to Russia in September 2026 reached a record $72.6 million — 1.5 times more than a year earlier
  • Frozen fish accounted for $55.3 million of supplies, fresh and chilled fish — $17.1 million
  • The wholesale price of pollock in the Far East rose to 215 rubles per kg (+59.3% over the year) while catches grew by 2%

Record fish imports from Turkey

In September 2026, Russia imported a record $72.6 million worth of fish from Turkey — 1.5 times more than a year earlier and 34% more than in August. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing data from the Turkish statistical service, writes Gazeta.Ru. The bulk of the supplies consisted of frozen fish: its value also reached a historical maximum of $55.3 million, a third higher than the August figure and 1.7 times the level of September last year. In addition, Turkey supplied Russia with fresh and chilled fish worth $17.1 million.

Expensive pollock amid growing catches

The record imports come against the backdrop of rising prices on the domestic market. As reported in September, the wholesale price of pollock in the Far East reached 215 rubles per kilogram — 59.3% more than a year earlier and 10.3% more than a month earlier. Meanwhile, according to the All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters (VARPE), by September 21 pollock catches in Russia had reached 1.8 million tons, up 2% compared with the same period last year. Thus, the rise in wholesale prices is accompanied both by increased catches and by expanded purchases abroad — the sources do not explain how these factors are related.

Context of fish product prices

The price increases also affect delicacy categories: Russians were previously toldhow much a kilogram of red caviar would cost them. The specific reasons behind the record Turkish supplies — whether it is the replacement of other importers, seasonality, or a price factor — are not disclosed in the publications.