The key facts

  • The wholesale price of Atlantic herring in northwestern Russia has reached 190 rubles per kg — 40.7% higher than a year earlier
  • Economist Leonid Kholod sees an alternative in Far Eastern herring, but predicts it will also rise in price
  • According to the expert's estimate, prices for both types will overall rise by 25–30%

Sharp rise in Atlantic herring prices

By November 2, the average wholesale price of Atlantic herring in northwestern Russia reached 190 rubles per kilogram — 40.7% higher than a year earlier and 37.7% higher than at the beginning of 2026. The noticeable rise began in September. Economist Leonid Kholod told Life.ru about the price increase and possible substitutes for the more expensive fish — economist Leonid Kholod, speaking to Life.ru.

Reasons for the price increase, according to the expert

Officially, the price rise is explained by underfishing: less catch means less supply. However, Kholod believes the cause is more likely the new European regulations on cod and herring fishing in the North and Barents Seas and the North Atlantic. He rates inflation as a modest factor — 'about seven percent, no more.' At the same time, logistics from the northern basin remain simple: the fish is loaded in Murmansk, and a railcar quickly arrives in St. Petersburg or Moscow.

The Far Eastern substitute is also getting more expensive

The expert named Far Eastern herring as an alternative to Atlantic herring: with high quality, it is larger, no inferior in taste, and, in his words, not all herring lovers can tell them apart right away. Olyutor herring from the northern Sea of Okhotsk and the Bering Sea stands apart — it is firmer and fattier. But the substitution promises no savings: Far Eastern herring is also rising in price, and logistics across the entire country are expensive. Additional pressure comes from pollock — the staple fish of the Far Eastern assortment — which has risen in price due to strong demand from China amid underfishing; this has pushed up other species as well, including Far Eastern herring.

Forecast: price growth will even out

Since Atlantic and Far Eastern herring are interchangeable, Kholod expects the overall price increase to be 'averaged out' — around 25–30%. In the Far East, the rise will be smaller than in the European part, since logistics there add less to the price than in the west of the country. This is the expert's assessment, not a confirmed market forecast.

Far Eastern fish itself is getting more expensive quite quickly, including herring. The rise in Atlantic herring prices is explained by underfishing — less catch and, accordingly, less supply. So the price may keep going up, but honestly, it seems to me this is more related to the new European regulations on cod and herring fishing in the North Sea. We are talking about the North and Barents Seas, where it is found, and the North AtlanticFar Eastern fish itself is getting more expensive quite quickly, including herring. The rise in Atlantic herring prices is explained by underfishing — less catch and, accordingly, less supply. So the price may keep going up, but honestly, it seems to me this is more related to the new European regulations on cod and herring fishing in the North Sea. We are talking about the North and Barents Seas, where it is found, and the North AtlanticAs for taste, fat content, and availability — Atlantic and Far Eastern herring are roughly the same. I would put it this way: a specialist, of course, can tell them apart. One is a bit better, the other a bit worse. For herring, it is very important when it was caught. Its life cycle is such that during a certain part of the year it is, in principle, not very good. That is, it is important to catch it at the right time. But if both fish are caught at the same, favorable time for them, at the very 'ripe' period, then not even all specialists can tell them apart. Both can be quite large and fattyAs for taste, fat content, and availability — Atlantic and Far Eastern herring are roughly the same. I would put it this way: a specialist, of course, can tell them apart. One is a bit better, the other a bit worse. For herring, it is very important when it was caught. Its life cycle is such that during a certain part of the year it is, in principle, not very good. That is, it is important to catch it at the right time. But if both fish are caught at the same, favorable time for them, at the very 'ripe' period, then not even all specialists can tell them apart. Both can be quite large and fattyHerring roe has entered its prime era — a jar now costs as much as an elite delicacy