Overview of Moscow's freshfrozen fish market as per mid-July 2009

As per the third week of July 2009 trade in freshfrozen seafood in Moscow has shown mixed price trends, analysts of www.fishnet-russia.com (www.fishnet.ru) concluded after analyzing the current situation on the market.

The salmon season in the Russian Far East has been gathering momentum. As per 10 July 2009 the fishermen harvested more than 36,000 tonnes of salmons. The biggest runs were observed in the northeast coast of Kamchatka. According to the fishery scientists, there will be record strong runs of pink salmon this year.

Thanks to generous forecasts of the salmon runs, the TAC in the Karaginsk subarea has been increased by 45,000 tonnes. As a result, the TAC in Kamchatka amounted to nearly 203,000 tonnes of salmons.

According to provisional catch figures in the Russian Far East, in the course of the first half of 2009 the finfish harvest in the Russian Far East amounted to 1,048,900 tonnes thus displaying an increase by 44,000 tonnes on the same period of last year. The pollock catches grew by 47,500 tonnes to 816,300 tonnes, those of flounder and wachna cod correspondingly increased by 15,700 tonnes to 42,900 tonnes and by 3000 tonnes to 16,500 tonnes. In the meantime, catches of other important commercial species such as cod, herring, Atka mackerel, halibut, squid, ocean perch, crab, shrimps and scallops displayed negative trends.

Along with the above developments, Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Rosselkhoznadzor has updated the form of the certificate for seafood shipments from Ecuador to Russia.

In general, as compared to the third week of July 2009 the market has been showing strengthening prices for pollock against diminishing prices for salmon caviar, Scottish mackerel 400-600 and tilapia fillets.

Pink salmon and chum salmon

According to the market participants, despite some forecasts on the record high harvest of salmons in 2009, the market is unlikely to collapse. Most probably, the prices for Pacific salmon will repeat the pattern of the pollock prices which have been gradually decreasing in the course of the season approximately by 0.50 RUR per week.

On the salmon market offers of pink salmons from new season have been already emerged. More specifically, pink head-on and gutted salmon 1st grade in transit to coldstore has been offered at RUR60.00-65.00 per kilo as shipped from Vladivostok. The chum salmon has been offered at RUR85.00-90.00 per kilo. The pink salmon prices in Moscow amount to ca.RUR85.00-90.00 per kilo.

There have also been offers of White Sea pink salmon from the July harvest in Murmansk at RUR80.00 per kilo of the size 1000+.

Unsold coldstore inventories of pink salmon from the harvest of 2008 have been offered at RUR120.00 per kilo and chum salmon inventories have been available at RUR170.00 per kilo.

Salmon roe

In the third week of July 2009 the offer prices for the first lightly salted salmon caviar (sockeye, pink salmon) in Moscow have decreased to RUR1100-1200 per kilo for the lots from 300 kilos to 1 tonnes. In general the prices in Moscow fluctuate at about RUR1200-1250 per kilo.

Atlantic salmon and trout

According to the foreign sources, in May 2009 Chilean traders exported to Russia ca.500 tonnes of frozen trout, nearly 80% up on April 2009, but still less than 1700 tonnes exported from the country last year. The total export volume from the beginning of the year amounted to less than 1500 tonnes, 80% down on last year. Meanwhile, market players expect recovery of activity of the Chilean export of trout to the Russian market up to before-crisis level in the short-term future.

As per the third week of July 2009, the market of farmed salmon and trout has been comparably stable in Moscow.

More specifically, Norwegian salmon SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow from RUR295.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUR294.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUR295.00 per kilo of the size 6-7, from RUR305.00 per kilo of the size 7-8 and from RUR315.00 per kilo of the size 8-9.

Chilean salmon PREMIUM has been marketed from RUR240.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUR260.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUR265.00 per kilo of the size 6-7 and from RUR270.00 per kilo of the size 7-8.

As per the third week of July 2009, Norwegian trout SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow at following prices: from RUB260.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUB270.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB290.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6, from RUB300.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5, and from RUB310.00 per kilo of the sizes 4.5+.

Chilean trout PREMIUM has been available in Moscow from RUB240.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUR245.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUR260.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6 and from RUR265.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5.

French trout SUPERIOR headed has been traded at RUR252.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUR260.00 per kilo of the sizes 1.8-2.7 and 2.7-3.6 and from RUR262.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5.

Rainbow trout 200-220 from Spain has been sold in Moscow from RUR225.00 per kilo.

Wild gutted lake trout 1.5-3 kilo from Canada has been offered at RUR150.00 per kilo.

Herring

As per the third week of July 2009 Russia in the first half of 2009 has been the largest market for Norwegian herring. In particular, in January-June 2009 Norway exported to Russia 84,000 tonnes of frozen w/r herring, 11,000 tonnes up on the same period last year. Besides, Russian traders have boosted imports of frozen herring fillets/

As per the third week of July 2009, prices for Norwegian herring of small sizes have slightly decreased.

Offer prices with Russian herring containing red feed amounted to RUR21.00 per kilo for the size 200-, RUR22.00 per kilo of the size 200-300 and RUR25.00 per kilo of the size 300+ in Murmansk.

Herring from Norway has been offered in Saint Petersburg at RUR23.50 per kilo of the size 200-, at RUR27.50 per kilo of the size 200-300, at RUR31.00-32.00 per kilo of the size 250+, from RUR37.50 per kilo of the size 300+, at RUR53.00-54.00 per kilo of the size 350+ and at RUR55.00-56.50 per kilo of the size 400+.

In Moscow Norwegian herring 200-300 has been marketed at RUR30.00 per kilo and the sizes 300+ and 350+ have been offered at RUR55.50 per kilo. The supply of the size 400+ has been limited. The prices fluctuate at about RUR63.00-65.00 per kilo.

Norwegian butterfly herring fillets 4-8 have been traded in Moscow from RUR62.00 per kilo, and the count 6-10 has been offered correspondingly at RUR40.00-44.00 and RUR53.00-58.00 per kilo.

Icelandic herring 350+ in large blocks (up to 500 kilos each) has been offered at RUR45.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg and at RUR46.50 per kilo in Moscow.

Norwegian butterfly herring flaps 4-8 have been marketed ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR62.00-64.00 per kilo, while the counts 6-10 and 8-12 have been available at RUR60.00-63.00 and RUR53.00 per kilo correspondingly.

Pacific herring has been marketed ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR27.00-28.00 per kilo of the size 270+.

Mackerel

As per the third week of July 2009, the Russian mackerel fishery has been gathering momentum. For the week from 7 to 14 July 2009 the fishermen harvested 5015 tonnes of mackerel. According to the Norwegian sources, in the first half of 2009 Russia imported from Norway 11,000 tonnes of mackerel. The market has seen first offers of Icelandic mackerel.

Prices for Norwegian mackerel from large importer in Saint Petersburg amount to RUR98.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and from RUR119.00 per kilo of the size 600+. In Moscow the size 600+ has been offered at RUR123.50 per kilo.

Irish mackerel has been traded at RUR95.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 in Saint Petersburg. In Moscow prices amount to ca.RUR98.00 per kilo of the size 400-600.

Japanese mackerel 400-600 has been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR112.00 per kilo and at RUR75.00 per kilo of the size 300-500 per kilo.

Russian mackerel has been offered in Moscow at RUR55.00 per kilo of the size 200-300.

Baltic herring, Baltic sprat

As per the third week of July 2009 the situation on the Baltic sprat market has remained stable without any price changes.

More specifically, Estonian sprat 10-12 cm has been sold at RUB24.00 per kilo ex-coldstore in Moscow.

Latvian sprat has been sold at RUR24.00-24.50 per kilo.

Swedish sprat 10-12 cm has been available from RUB28.00 per kilo.

As per the third week of July 2009, Baltic herring prices have remained stable.

Swedish herring has been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUR30.00 per kilo of the size 14-18.

Estonian herring has been marketed ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR26.00 per kilo of the size 12-16.

Capelin

As per the third week of July 2009, the situation on the capelin market has been relatively calm.

More specifically, in Saint Petersburg Norwegian capelin has been available at following prices: RUR36.00 per kilo of the count 20-30, RUR32.00-33.00 per kilo of the count 25-35, RUR30.00 per kilo of the count 30-40 and RUR26.00-27.00 per kilo of the count 40-50.

In Moscow prices for the Norwegian capelin have been as follows: RUR33.00-36.00 per kilo of the count 30-40, RUR29.00 per kilo of the counts 35-45 and 40-50.

The Russian capelin made by ATF has been traded at RUR27.50 per kilo of the count 30-40 subject to prepayment ex-coldstore in Moscow region. Ex-coldstore in Moscow city the Russian capelin has been offered from RUR28.00 per kilo of w/r fat fish and up to RUR35.00 per kilo of roe capelin.

Blue whiting

The Russian fleets continue harvesting blue whiting with the catch rates remaining stable. During the week from 7 to 14 July 2009 the Russian fishermen harvested ca.3807 tonnes of blue whiting. The prices for the species also remain stable.

More specifically, as per the third week of July 2009 in Moscow blue whiting has been offered at RUR26.00-28.00 per kilo.

In Saint Petersburg blue whiting has been traded at ca.RUR24.00-25.00 per kilo.

Alaska pollock

As per the third week of July 2009 the pollock fishery in the Russian Far East has been progressing. During the week from 7 to 14 July 2009 the Russian vessels harvested 14,687 tonnes of pollock. In general for the first half of the year 2009 the Russian fleets harvested 816,300 tonnes of pollock thus displaying an increase by 47,500 tonnes on the same period last year.

According to the traders, the market has been showing strengthening prices for pollock. The market participants attribute the price rise to short market supply connected with decreased shipments from the Russian Far East to the domestic market against larger export shipments. Several Moscow-based suppliers continue offering onshore frozen pollock 25+ at RUR54.00 per kilo, but traders think the prices will be on the rise.

As per the third week of July 2009 headed pollock has been marketed ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR54.00-55.00 per kilo of the count 25+, RUR55.00-56.00 per kilo of the count 30+ and from RUR58.00 per kilo of the count 35+.

Skinned Chinese pollock fillets IQF have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUR71.00-77.00 per kilo of the count 6-8 and at RUR72.00-78.00 per kilo of the count 8+.

Hake

According to official sources, in the current year 2009 the hake harvest out of the onshore processors quotas in the USA has been limited to only 42,000 tonnes so far versus nearly 50,500 tonnes in 2008, 17% down on last year.

Due to a dramatic reduction of the catch quotas the harvest out of the motherships' quotas amounts to only about 24,100 tonnes versus nearly 57,500 tonnes last year thus displaying a decrease by 58%.

As the middle of the first ten days of July 2009, the harvest out of the factory trawlers' quotas has failed to reach even 2000 tonnes and the total volume of the US catches was limited to only 68,000 tonnes, with the fishery out of the community development quotas of the Indians not yet started.

As per the third week of July 2009 the hake prices on the Russian market have remained comparably stable.

Canadian HGT hake IQF has been offered ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg at RUR90.00-94.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, RUR83.00 per kilo of the size 300+ and at RUR86.00 per kilo of the size 500+.

Canadian hake 300-600 has been sold in Moscow at RUR94.00-98.00 per kilo of IQF products.

Prices for American HGT hake in Moscow amount to RUR90.00-92.00 per kilo of the size 300-500. The same product frozen in block has been offered from RUR83.00 per kilo.

Ecuadorian HGT hake has been sold at RUR72.00 per kilo of the size 80-100, RUR83.00 per kilo of the size 100-200 and at RUR72.00-90.00 per kilo of the size 1000+.

Uruguayan HGT hake has been available subject to prepayment at RUR82.00 per kilo of the size 200-400, at RUR84.00 per kilo of the size 300-600 and at RUR88.00 per kilo of the size 500+. Hake meat in cubes and discs has been offered at RUR75.00-77.00 per kilo.

Argentinean hake fillets 60-120 have been available in Moscow at RUR162.00 per kilo.

Chinese hake fillets skin-on have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR82.00-90.00 per kilo of the count 6-8 and from RUR83.00-91.00 per kilo of the count 8+.

Squid

During the week from 7 to 14 July 2009 the total Russian harvest of B.magister squid amounted to 1275 tonnes. Since the beginning of the season through to 12 July 2009 the vessels owned by BAMR-Roliz harvested ca.9200 tonnes of squid in the Northwest Pacific waters. In general, during the first six months of the year the Russian vessels harvested 10,300 tonnes of squid, 6400 tonnes down on the same period of last year.

As per the beginning of July 2009, the situation on the magister squid market has remained stable. The traders have been focusing on the progressing salmon season and the squid itself has stayed out of their interests so far.

Squid harvested by Nakhodka Trawl Fleet Base has been available ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUR73.00 per kilo. Squid harvested by Okeanrybflot in May 2009 has been offered at RUR69.00 per kilo subject to prepayment. Skinned squid fillets frozen at sea by Okeanrybflot have been marketed at RUR100.00 per kilo.

Peruvian fillets of giant squid have been marketed in Moscow at RUR44.00 per kilo.

Cleaned squid tubes of the Chinese origin have been offered at about RUR86.00-92.00 per kilo of the count U5-U7 and from RUR88.00-92.00 per kilo of the count U10.

Pangasius

As per the third week of July 2009 the prices for pangasius fillets have remained unchanged in Moscow.

Large importers have been offering pangasius to be delivered to Saint Petersburg at prices starting from RUR75.00 per kilo.

In Moscow pangasius fillets have been offered by many suppliers at prices of about RUR82.00-85.00 per kilo.

Tilapia

On Moscow's tilapia market the active price fall has been ceased and a number of suppliers have been correcting their prices downwards to the general market level.

More specifically, Chinese fillets of tilapia have been offered ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg from RUR110.00 per kilo of the counts 3-5 and 5-7. In Moscow the count 3-5 has been offered from RUR118.00 per kilo, while the count 5-7 has been available from RUR120.00 per kilo. In case of prepayment the price for the products in transit to coldstore amounts to ca.RUR111.00 per kilo.

HGT tilapia has been offered at RUR111.00 per kilo of the size 500-800 and at RUR114.00 per kilo of the size 800+. The prices remain stable.

Shrimp

As per the third week of July 2009 frozen pink shrimp from Denmark has been marketed at RUR127.00-155.00 per kilo of the count 50/70, RUR120.00-155.00 per kilo of the count 60/80, RUR100.00-116.00 per kilo of the count 70/90 and RUR100.00-115.00 per kilo of the count 90/120.

Tiger shrimp from Bangladesh and Indonesia has been traded at RUR580.00 per kilo of the count 4/6, RUR520.00 per kilo of the count 6/8, RUR545.00 per kilo of the count 13/15,and RUR425.00 per kilo of the count 16/20.

Queen shrimp from Ecuador has been sold at RUR220.00 per kilo of the count 30/40 and RUR225.00 per kilo of the count 10/30.

White shrimp from Thailand has been available at RUR200.00 per kilo of the count 51/60, at RUR210.00 per kilo of the count 41/50 and at RUR220.00 per kilo of the count 31/40.