Overview of Moscow's freshfrozen fish market as per mid-October 2010
As per 19 October 2010 the trade in freshfrozen seafood in Moscow has been marked by the whole range of important events, analysts of www.megafishnet.com (www.fishnet.ru) concluded after analyzing the current situation on the market.
Among the most important events of the week, on 19 October 2010 in London coastal nations as to blue whiting stocks (EU, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Faroe Islands) unanimously agreed to reduce the blue whiting TAC 2011 13 times from 540,000 metric tons to 40,100 tonnes.
Market players reported about a decline of prices for Pacific salmons, in particular for pink salmon. On the third week of October 2010 the average wholesale price in Moscow declined by another RUR1.00 per kilo. Experts forecast that a low decline would continue with prices to go down by ca.RUR6.00-8.00 per kilo.
A slight decline of prices was observed also for Norwegian salmon in connection with declining producer prices in Norway.
There was a negative price trend for North American hake. According to a representative of a large trade company, the price decline was connected with substitution of hake by cheaper pollock in some regions of Russia. At the same time, due to a strong demand and active sales, prices for pollock continued being under upward pressure.
In connection with the end of the mackerel fishery in Norway and due to a strong demand from other markets, prices for mackerel started rising.
Prices for herring in Norway were rising, though such trend in Russia was much weaker with a certain upward pressure on prices for Norwegian herring 300+ and 350+ however observed.
The squid market was showing an increased lack of squid supply. Cleaned squid tubes from China dramatically appreciated pushing up prices for the Russian squid Todarodes pacificus.
On the third week of October 2010 Russia's Federal Service for Surveillance in the Sphere of Protection of Consumers' Rights and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) explained the rules of introducing new sanitary norms into force. More specifically, SanPinN 2.3.2.2603-10 "Addendum No.17 to SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01" came into force on 1 October 2010 and touched products made after the given day. For fish products made before 1 October 2010 requirements of previously valid sanitary standards should be applied, and such products could be sold without any limitations until the end of their storage life. Thus, fillets of halibuts, tilapia, pollock and other fish species made in Asian Pacific countries with the glazing content of 20% and more could be freely sold and a large scale decline of prices for such products was therefore not expected by experts, though the downward pressure was still observed on the market.
Russia's total harvest of aquatic biological resources starting from 1 January 2010 amounted to 3,205,300 tonnes, 184,200 tonnes up on last year. The TAC take-up amounted to 77.5%, 6.1% up on last year.
Atlantic salmon/trout
As per the 41st week of the year 2010 (4-10 October 2010) prices for Atlantic salmon in Norway have been on a rise. In the course of the week prices have strengthened for all the sizes.
On the Russian market the price trends have been negative. Slightly lower prices have been observed for Norwegian salmon of the average size.
According to a large processor, in Moscow purchase prices for chilled salmon have been at about RUR265.00 per kilo of the size 4-5 and RUR273.00 per kilo of the size 5-6.
Frozen Norwegian salmon 4-5 has been offered on the Russian market at RUR275.00 per kilo; the size 5-6 has been marketed at RUR285.00 per kilo; the size 6-7 has been sold at RUR310.00 per kilo; size 7-8 at RUR320.00 per kilo and the sizes 8-9 and 9+ at RUR325-330.00 per kilo.
The prices of the frozen Chilean trout have been relatively stable. The Chilean trout of the Premium quality has been marketed at RUR235.00 per kilo for the size 0.9-1.8, at RUR260.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7 and at RUR280.00-290.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-4.0.
Pink and chum salmon
As per the third week of October 2010 the pink salmon market has been still facing negative price trends. Head-on gutted pink salmon has depreciated by another RUR1.00 per kilo. According to some experts, the price fall for Pacific salmons will continue, while the level of the price decline can amount to ca.RUR6.00-8.00 per kilo kilo.
In Moscow prices for pink salmon head-on gutted of the harvest of 2010 have descended to RUR95.00 per kilo, while pink salmon w/r has been marketed at prices reaching RUR93.00 per kilo. Headed and gutted pink salmon has been traded at prices from RUR110.00 per kilo.
Prices for head-on gutted chum salmon from the harvest of 2010 in Moscow have been ranging at RUR105.00-115.00 per kilo, while headed and gutted products have been fetching RUR115.00-125.00 per kilo.
Salmon caviar
Due to a limited supply of slightly salted salmon caviar of high quality, prices for the product have remained high and gradually rising.
Slightly salted pink salmon caviar in cubotainers has been offered at RUR1400.00-1450.00 per kilo. Prices for slightly salted chum salmon caviar in cubotainers have reached RUR1650.00 per kilo.
Herring
According to provisional figures, the Russian harvest of herring through the third week of October 2010 amounted to 10,700 tonnes, 1400 tonnes down on the result of the previous week. The total herring catch from the beginning of the year amounted to 148,500 tonnes, the quota remainder making 26.2%. The Norwegian harvest totaled more than 22,000 tonnes, the average herring size reported at 300+ (the largest fish of 370g was harvested in the international waters). As per 18 October 2010, the herring harvest in the Norwegian Sea amounted to 630,000 tonnes, the quota of 894,600 tonnes covered at 70%.
In the Russian Far East the herring harvest through the week amounted to ca.2500 tonnes.
As per the third week of October 2010, the situation on the herring market has remained comparably stable with a certain upward pressure on prices. They have been rising in Norway and that will soon tell on the Russian market as well. There is a slight movement of prices for Norwegian herring 300+ and 350+. There has been a small rise of prices for the Russian herring.
In Murmansk poorly graded and classified as large and fat herring has been offered ex-coldstore from RUR27.00 per kilo of the size 200-300 and at RUR32.00 per kilo of the size 300+.
In St. Petersburg Russia-produced herring 200-300 has been sold at ca. RUR26.50-28.50 per kilo; herring 300+ at about RUR32.00-33.00 per kilo.
In St. Petersburg the Norwegian herring 300+ has been marketed from RUR34.00 per kilo; the herring of the size 350+ at RUR36.00 per kilo, the herring of the size 400+ from RUR57.00 per kilo.
In St. Petersburg the Icelandic herring 300+ has been offered from RUR34.00 per kilo, the size 350+ has been marketed at RUR37.50 per kilo.
Mackerel
The mackerel market has kept facing upward pressure on prices as per the mid-October 2010. Norway as the main supplier of mackerel for the Russian market, has practically exhausted its mackerel quota and with the demand being strong on all the markets the prices have been strengthening. As per 18 October 2010 the Norwegian harvest of mackerel from the beginning of 2010 exceeded 170,00 tonnes, the quota of 180,400 tonnes covered at 94%. As of 18 October 2010 the Norwegian mackerel fishery in the EU zone, where the quota has been practically exhausted, has been suspended.
Russian headless mackerel made by Murmansk Trawl Fleet has been offered in St. Petersburg at RUR53.00 per kilo of the size 200-300, the size 300+ has been marketed at RUR82.00 per kilo.
Icelandic headless mackerel 200-400 frozen at sea in St. Petersburg has been offered at about RUR53.00-54.00 per kilo of the size 200-400, the size 300+ at RUR85.00 per kilo.
Norwegian mackerel 300-500 has been offered in St. Petersburg at RUR62.00 per kilo, the size 400-600 at RUR93.00 per kilo, the size 600+ at RUR130.00 per kilo.
Faroese mackerel has been traded in St. Petersburg at RUR91.00 per kilo of the size 400-600, the size 600+ has been traded at RUR130.00 per kilo.
Baltic sprat/Baltic herring
As per the mid-October 2010 the prices of Estonian sprat have been slightly declining as compared to the previous week.
In St. Petersburg the Baltic sprat 8-12 from Estonia has been offered from RUR20.50 per kilo ex-coldstore.
Finnish sprat 10-12 has been sold in St. Petersburg at prices from RUR20.00 per kilo
As per the third week of October 2010 the prices of Baltic herring have been stable.
In St. Petersburg the Baltic herring 12-15 from Finland has been offered from RUR23.00 per kilo, the Baltic herring 15-17 has been sold at 27.00 per kilo.
Russian Baltic herring 16+ has been offered in St. Petersburg at RUR25.00 per kilo.
Capelin
Prices for capelin have remained stable on the market. Against the background of small coldstore inventories importers purchased products from Norway and Iceland.
In St. Petersburg Norwegian capelin 25-35 has been offered at RUR31.00 per kilo, the size 30-40 has been offered at RUR27.00 per kilo, 35-45 at RUR26.00 per kilo, 40-50 at RUR24.00 per kilo
Blue whiting
One of main events of the week has been the fact that EU, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Faroe Islands have unanimously agreed to reduce the blue whiting TAC 2011 thirteen times from 540,000 tonnes to 40,100 tonnes.
As per mid-October 2010 the blue whiting market has been showing negative price trends. Many wholesalers have decreased their prices. The lowest price level with most of the suppliers amounts to ca.RUR30.00 per kilo. The average wholesale price has reached RUR33.00 per kilo.
In St. Petersburg the blue whiting 25+ from Ireland has been marketed at RUR31.00 per kilo.
Scottish blue whiting 27+ has been sold in St. Petersburg at RUR31.50 per kilo.
In Murmansk blue whiting has been offered from RUR30.00 per kilo.
FOR-produced blue whiting in St. Petersburg has been sold at RUR31.50 per kilo.
Alaska pollock
On 12-19 October 2010 the pollock harvest in the Russian Far East has declined to 15,301 tonnes. According to experts, pollock prices have continued gradually strengthening.
As per early October 2010 headed pollock frozen at sea has been marketed in Moscow at prices from RUR49.00 per kilo of the size 25+, RUR51.00 per kilo of the size 30+ and from RUR52.00 per kilo of the size 35+.
In Moscow the Chinese skinned pollock fillets IQF 6-8 have been offered from RUR59.00 per kilo, ex-coldstore, from RUR60.00 per kilo of the size 8+ subject to large wholesale lots.
Russian skin-on pollock IQF fillets with glazing content 5-7% has been marketed from RUR100.00 per kilo while the skinned fillet from RUR107.00 per kilo. Block frozen skinned fillet from large Russian producers has been offered at about RUR95.00 per kilo.
Hake
As per the third week of October 2010 negative price trends have begun showing on the hake market. According to a large trader, the market has been facing substitution of hake by pollock, especially in central regions of Russia and in the country's east. Being table fish, hake and pollock have a common circle of consumers currently focusing more on cheaper pollock thanks to its strong supply. The demand for hake remains in the European part of Russia and in some southern regions. Experts say that the negative price trends for HGT hake will continue in the short term outlook.
US hake has been marketed ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg at RUR73.50 per kilo of interleaved HGT product 200-400 and at RUR75.00 per kilo of HGT hake 300-500. Canadian HGT hake 300-500 IQF has been sold at RUR80.00 per kilo, while interleaved product has been sold at RUR74.50 per kilo.
In Saint Petersburg HGT hake IQF from Uruguay has been traded at RUR72.00 per kilo of the size 150-250, RUR73.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, meat in discs and cubes has been offered at RUR60.00-70.00 per kilo.
In Saint Petersburg HGT hake from Argentina has been marketed at RUR83.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, hake fillets have been sold at RUR119.00 per kilo of the size 100-250 and RUR140.00 per kilo of 120-200.
Interleaved HGT hake from Spain has been sold in Moscow at RUR85.00 per kilo of the size 200-350, fillets 150-250 have been marketed at RUR118.00 per kilo.
In Moscow skin-on hake fillets of the Chinese origin 6-8 and 8+ with high content of glazing have been offered from RUR68.00 per kilo, hake fillets 6-8 with 5% glazing have been offered at RUR90.00 per kilo.
Squid
As per mid-October 2010 the squid fishery in the Russian Far East has continued. Through the week under analysis, the Russian fishermen harvested more than 2900 tonnes of squid. As per the third week of October 2010 the market of squid Todarodes pacificus has continued facing stably high prices. The price rise for cleaned squid tubes from China and giant squid fillets from Peru has persisted.
The average prices for T. pacificus squid in Moscow range from RUR88.00 to RUR89.00 per kilo. The average price subject to prepayment amounts to ca.RUR86.00 per kilo.
In Saint Petersburg cleaned squid tubes U7 of the Chinese origin have been traded from RUR140.00 per kilo.
Fillets of giant squid from Peru have been offered at RUR63.00-65.00 per kilo, trimmings have been available at RUR51.00 per kilo.
Tilapia
As per mid-October 2010 prices for tilapia fillets with glazing content of 20% and more have remained fairly stable or under downward pressure. Tilapia fillets with the glazing content compliant with Russia's state standards (GOST) have appreciated through the week.
Importers have been offering products with 5% of glazing at ca.RUR150.00 per kilo of the size 3-5 ounces and RUR160.00 per kilo of the size 5-7.
Large importers have been selling tilapia fillets 3-5 ounces with 20% glazing from RUR109.00 per kilo, while prices ex-coldstore have been reported at RUR113.00 per kilo for the size 5-7 ounces.
The average price level of most of wholesalers amounts to ca.RUR115.00 per kilo of fillets 3-5 ounces and RUR125.00 per kilo of fillets 5-7 ounces.
Pangasius
The market of Vietnamese pangasius fillets has continued showing negative price trends. According to a spokesman of a large wholesale company, the market situation could be described as pressure of direct importers of fillets towards brisker clearance sales of fillets with high glazing content.
In Moscow and Saint Petersburg large importers have been offering pangasius from RUR69.00-72.00 per kilo of the product with 20% glazing, while fillets with 10% glazing have been offered at RUR90.00-91.00 per kilo.
Pangasius fillets in cubes have been sold from RUR55.00 per kilo.
Importers have been selling white meat fillets of 5% glazing at about RUR105.00 per kilo, while fillets with 20% glazing have been marketed at about 89.00 per kilo.
Cod
As per mid-October 2010 prices for cod on the Russian market remain stable.
Prices for headed and gutted Atlantic cod IQF in Murmansk amount to RUR85.00-86.00 per kilo of the size 0.5-1 and 1+.
Skinned cod fillets IQF made in Murmansk have been offered in Saint Petersburg from RUR125.00 per kilo.
Pacific cod headed block frozen 1.5+ and 2+ has been offered in Moscow at RUR74.00-76.00 per kilo.