Overview of Moscow's freshfrozen fish market as per fourth week of January 2010

As per 16 January 2010 Russia's total harvest of finfish and other aquatic species amounted to ca.121,300 tonnes, 32,400 tonnes up on the corresponding result of 2008. The TACs were covered at 3.1%, 36.9% up on the corresponding result of last year.

Federal Fisheries Agency

By the fourth week of January 2010 Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency has finally reached an agreement with the Faroe Islands on fisheries in the Faroese zone. As a result, the Agency has issued an order on distribution of blue whiting capture quotas in the amount of 43,750 tonnes and mackerel quotas in the amount of 6250 tonnes in the Faroese fishing zone.

Vet update

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Rosselkhoznadzor has released a list of Chinese fish processing companies and vessels approved for export to the Russian Federation.

Besides, the Russian vets have published a list of Icelandic fish processing companies and vessels approved for export to Russia.

Along with the above, the Russian vets have published a list of Turkish fishing, farming, processing and storage companies additionally approved for export to the Russian Federation.

In the fourth week of January 2009 Rosselkhoznadzor has also informed that the regime of seafood importation from non-approved plants of the USA and Kazakhstan except for temporarily restricted plants has continued as of 1 January 2010.

In general, in the fourth week of January 2010 Moscow's seafood market has been showing mixed price trends with positive price dynamics still dominating on the market. In particular, the prices have increased for such species as mackerel, pink salmon, chum salmon, squid, North American hake, pangasius and tilapia fillets.

In the meantime, a price decrease has been observed for pollock, while herring prices have been showing forming negative dynamics.

Pink salmon and chum salmon

As per the fourth week of January 2010 the salmon market has been showing strengthening prices for pink salmon with the price rise taking off in the first working days of the year. In the meantime, prices for chum salmon have remained more or less stable with a slight upward pressure.

The average offer price for pink salmon head-on gutted 1st grade made in Sakhalin has increased from RUR60.00 to RUR65.00 per kilo on Moscow's market. Kamchatka pink salmon has been offered at about RUR58.00-60.00 per kilo. Whole pink salmon has been marketed from RUR60.00 to RUR62.00 per kilo. Headed pink salmon has been available at RUR69.00-80.00 per kilo.

Chum salmon head-on, gutted has been offered at ca.RUR85.00-88.00 per kilo while chum salmon headless, gutted harvested in Sakhalin has been offered at RUR93.00-96.00 per kilo. Kamchatka chum salmon headed has been offered at RUR96.00 per kilo.

Caviar/roe

In the fourth week of January 2009 the caviar and roe market has remained stable after peaking sales in late December 2009. Prices have not changed as compared to the previous week.

The offer price of slightly salted salmon caviar of premium quality starts from RUR900.00 per kilo in Moscow.

Pink salmon roe of medium quality has been marketed at RUR850.00 per kilo.

Atlantic salmon and trout

As per the fourth week of January 2010, the prices for frozen salmon and trout in Moscow have remained stable as compared to the previous week evidently due to market slackness after a period of brisk sales in the end of the year.

In Norway export prices both for chilled and frozen salmon have been declining. The average export price for chilled salmon has decreased by 3.4% from 30.88 to 29.82 NOK per kilo. The price for frozen salmon has declined from 32.82 to 32.54 NOK per kilo.

Norwegian salmon SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow from RUR225.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUR245.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUR247.00 per kilo of the size 6-7, from RUR252.00 per kilo of the size 7-8 and from RUR255.00 per kilo of the size 8-9.

Chilean salmon PREMIUM has been marketed from RUR215.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUR235.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUR245.00 per kilo of the size 6-7 and from RUR250.00 per kilo of the size 7-8.

Chilean salmon INDUSTRIAL has been traded from RUR185.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUR215.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUR225.00 per kilo of the size 6-7 and from RUR230.00 per kilo of the size 7-8.

As per the fourth week of January 2010 Norwegian trout SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow at following prices: from RUR232.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUR247.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUR247.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6, from RUR257.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5, and from RUR257.00 per kilo of the sizes 4.5+.

Chilean trout PREMIUM has been available in Moscow from RUR222.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUR235.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUR240.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-4.0, from RUR250.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5 and from RUR245.00 per kilo of the size 4.5+.

Rainbow trout of various sizes from Spain has been sold in Moscow from RUR195.00 per kilo.

Faroe trout has been traded from RUR228.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, RUR250.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6, from RUR253.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5 and from RUR255.00 per kilo of the size 4.5+.

Herring

In the third week of the year 2010, namely from 11 to 17 January 2010 the Norwegian fleet was actively fishing on the Lofoten grounds of spring-spawning herring. Excellent fishery conditions let the fishermen set up new records on herring catches through the week. Despite not very favourable weather conditions the total herring harvest through the week amounted to more than 96,000 tonnes (+8000 tonnes on the record weekly harvest in 2009).

For comparison, from 8 to 15 January 2010 the harvest of Atlanto-Scandian herring targeted by the Russian fleets in the Norwegian Sea dramatically increased to 5250 tonnes.

In the Russian Far East the nation's fishermen were also hunting for herring with the weekly harvest reported at ca.4000 tonnes.

As per the fourth week of January 2010, the market prices for small herring 200-300 have started to decline. St-Petersburg-based importers have been also gradually reducing their prices for herring of medium size. Prices for butterfly herring fillets have also been decreasing. Traders say that in the near future prices will display a downward trend.

The offer prices for Russian herring in Murmansk amount to ca.RUR22.80-23.00 per kilo of the size 200-300 and ca.RUR27.00-27.50 per kilo of the size 300+ subject to large wholesale purchases.

Norwegian herring has been offered in Saint Petersburg at the following prices: from RUR28.50 per kilo of the size 300+, from RUR35.00 per kilo of the size 350+ and from RUR44.00 per kilo of the size 400+.

In Moscow Icelandic herring has been offered from RUR31.00 per kilo of the size 330+.

Norwegian butterfly herring fillets 5-8 have been traded in Saint-Petersburg from RUR45.00 per kilo, ex-coldstore, and the counts 6-10 and 8-12 have been offered correspondingly at RUR44.50 and RUR38.00 per kilo.

Icelandic herring fillets 4-8 and 5-8 have been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR45.00-49.00 per kilo.

Mackerel

According to active market players, the positive price trend on the mackerel market has persisted as per the fourth week of January 2010. Many importers have raised their prices, especially for large size fish.

According to the Norwegian sources, the Norwegian fleet has been concentrating on the herring grounds, while landings to onshore factories have been carried out by foreign vessels, in particular, those based in Scotland. At Norwegian auctions mackerel has been offered from the Scottish landings with 5500 tonnes sold out at the average price of 7.14 NOK per kilo (-0.28 NOK per kilo), the average fish weight reported at 400g.

In Moscow Norwegian mackerel has been offered at RUR59.00-65.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, from RUR99.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and from RUR120.00-125 per kilo of the size 600+.

Scottish mackerel has been marketed in Saint Petersburg at the following prices: from RUR59.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, at RUR97-99.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and at RUR112.00 per kilo of the size 600+.

Icelandic mackerel headed has been traded in Saint- Petersburg at RUR58.00-62.00 per kilo of the size 200-400 and at RUR84.00-85.00 per kilo of the size 300+.

Irish mackerel has been traded at RUR58.00 per kilo of the size 300-500 and RUR97.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 in Saint Petersburg.

Russian headed mackerel has been offered ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg from RUR60.00 per kilo of the sizes 200-300 and 200-400 depending on producer and quality, mackerel 300+ has been sold at RUR93.00-96.00 per kilo.

Baltic herring, Baltic sprat

As per the fourth week of January 2010 prices for Baltic sprat have remained comparably on a par with the previous week.

In particular, Estonian sprat 10-12 cm has been sold from RUR18.00 per kilo ex-coldstore in Moscow.

Swedish sprat 10-12 cm has been available at RUR26.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg and RUR27.00 per kilo in Moscow.

As per the fourth week of January 2010, prices for Baltic herring have remained stable as compared to the previous week.

Latvian herring 14-16 has been available ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR25.00 per kilo.

Finnish herring has been traded from RUR22.00 per kilo of the size 12-15 cm, RUR24.00 per kilo of the size 15-17.

Swedish herring has been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUR28.00 per kilo of the size 14-18.

Russian herring 14-18 has been sold in Moscow at RUR28.00 per kilo.

Capelin

As per the fourth week of January 2010, the capelin market has been showing stability. Traders have been trying to sell out last year inventories.

In Saint Petersburg Norwegian capelin has been available at following prices: RUR31.00-34.00 per kilo of the count 30-40 and RUR35.00-45.00 per kilo of the count 35-45.

Icelandic capelin 30-40 has been offered at RUR31.50-35.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg, while the size 35-45 has been available at RUR30.50 per kilo.

Canadian capelin has been offered at RUR32.50-35.00 per kilo of the size 30-40 and RUR28.50 per kilo of the size 35-45 in Saint Petersburg subject to prepayment.

Russian capelin made by Murmansk Trawl Fleet has been offered at RUR22.00 per kilo of the count 40-50 ex-coldstore in Moscow.

Blue whiting

In the fourth week of January 2010 news has come that Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency has finally reached an agreement with the Faroe Islands on fisheries in the Faroese zone. As a result, the Agency has issued an order on distribution of blue whiting capture quotas of 43,750 tonnes in the Faroese fishing zone.

The blue whiting market has continued showing a strong shortage of supply against high prices. The average offer price in Murmansk amounts to ca.RUR40.00-42.00 per kilo subject to prepayment. The Russian fleet has been not conducting the fishery and traders have been waiting for new landings of import products. According to Saint Petersburg traders, imported blue whiting in transit to coldstores has been already contracted and none of the products has been landed to coldstores.

As per the fourth week of January 2010, in Saint Petersburg Icelandic blue whiting 25+ has been traded at ca.RUR38.00 per kilo. Russian blue whiting has been sold in Saint Petersburg at RUR41.00-42.00 per kilo.

Alaska pollock

In the Russian Far East the fishing efforts have been focused mostly on the pollock fishery. More specifically, according to provisional catch figures, from 12 to 19 January 2010 the pollock harvest amounted to more than 59,000 tonnes. About 27,000 tonnes out of the above volume were contributed by headed and gutted pollock, while w/r pollock contributed ca.7600 tonnes to the harvest.

Though some market participants have been reporting short pollock supply in Moscow, in the fourth week of January 2010 several large suppliers have reduced offer prices for products to be delivered in the coming week.

As per the fourth week of January 2010, in Vladivostok headed pollock 25+ has been sold from RUR45.00-47.00 per kilo, while headed pollock in Moscow have been traded at RUR56.00 per kilo for the size 25+ ex-coldstore. Sizes 30+ and 35+ have been marketed from RUR57.00-59.00 per kilo and from RUR58.00-60.00 per kilo correspondingly.

Skinned Chinese pollock fillets IQF have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUR54.00 per kilo of the count 6-8 and from RUR56.00 per kilo of the count 8+ subject to large wholesale lots.

Hake

As per the fourth week of January 2010, the positive price trend on the market of North American hake has persisted from the previous week. The average price level on the market has been approaching to the level achieved in the recent months. More specifically, most of suppliers have been offering HGT North American hake 300-500 at RUR75.00 per kilo.

Prices for South American products have remained stable, while Chinese fillets have even slightly depreciated.

US hake HGT 300-500 interleaved has been available ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUR74.00-75.00 per kilo, while the size 250+ has been sold at RUR72.00 per kilo.

Canadian HGT hake 300-500 interleaved has been sold ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg from RUR75.00-76.00 per kilo. Canadian 300-600 IQF has been sold in Saint Petersburg from RUR78.00-82.00 per kilo.

In Moscow HGT hake IQF from Uruguay has been offered at ca.RUR74.00 per kilo of the size 200-400 and at RUR80.00 per kilo of the size 500+. Meat in discs and cubes has been marketed from RUR59.00 per kilo.

Prices for Argentinean HGT hake amount to RUR94.00 per kilo of the size 500-800. Hake fillets 320+ and 120+ have been sold correspondingly at RUR139.00 and RUR130.00 per kilo.

Chinese hake fillets skin-on have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR72.00 per kilo of the count 6-8 and from RUR73.00 per kilo of the count 8+.

Squid

In the fourth week of January 2010 a positive price trend has persisted on the squid market. The average price in Moscow has approximated RUR72.00 per kilo, while several companies have increased their squid prices to RUR76.00-78.00 per kilo.

Squid prices in Vladivostok amount to ca.RUR60.00-65.00 per kilo.

Sea-frozen skinned squid fillets made by Okeanrybflot have been sold at RUR100.00 per kilo, while interleaved fillets have been sold at RUR112.00 per kilo.

Fillets of giant squid from Peru have been offered in Moscow from RUR52.00-55.00 per kilo.

Cleaned squid tubes U10 of the Chinese origin have been traded from RUR100.00 per kilo, while tubes U5 have been marketed at RUR108.00 in Saint Petersburg.

Pangasius

According to the Vietnamese sources, export of Vietnamese pangasius to Russia continued actively improving in 2009. According to the Vietnamese customs service, through the first eleven months of the year 2009 the total export of pangasius to the Russian market amounted to 39,176 tonnes at the total value of 63.9 million USD.

In the fourth week of January 2010 prices for pangasius fillets have been rising in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Many large importers and wholesalers have increased their average offer prices to RUR70.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg.

Most of wholesale offers in Moscow have been fluctuating at RUR72.00-73.00 per kilo.

Tilapia

As per the fourth week of January 2010, prices on the market of tilapia fillets have been strengthening. In particular, the minimum offer price has risen, traders say.

In Saint Petersburg tilapia fillets 3-5 ounces have been offered from RUR98.00-104.00 per kilo subject to prepayment, while the size 5-7 has been marketed at RUR105.00-108.00 per kilo.

Most of Moscow-based wholesalers have been offering prices at RUR105.00-110.00 per kilo of the count 3-5 and RUR110.00-115.00 per kilo of the count 5-7.

Average frozen fish prices (wholesale) in Moscow as per 18 January 2010

Seller prices in RUR per kilo in Moscow as per 18 January 2010