Overview of Moscow's freshfrozen fish market as per second week of April 2010

April 20, 2010 13:46

As per the second week of March 2010 trade in freshfrozen seafood in Moscow has shown mixed price trends, analysts of www.megafishnet.com (www.fishnet.ru ) concluded after analyzing the current situation on the market.

Active traders were complaining about a trade fall with sales of some products coming to a complete halt and others progressing weakly. In the meantime, in Murmansk bottomfish products were selling well due to insufficient market saturation. Cod somewhat depreciated, though it was also selling well. Besides, sales of Icelandic ocean perch were active. Those of blue whiting, despite the price fall, were sluggish due to retaining resistance on the consumer level. In other words, the consumer evidently lost interest in that fairly cheap fish, when prices considerably increased and the demand had not recovered yet. Traders reported a lack of herring and mackerel supply at coldstores in Murmansk.

Coldstore inventories of capelin in Murmansk amounted to ca.8000 tonnes. Shipments of capelin were stable while the volume of supply was lower on last year and prices for capelin slightly increased.

Prices for Pacific salmon (pink and chum) continued declining. According to the industry insiders, despite the attempts of several market participants to send prices up, those products were gradually returning to their actual price level. Besides, the market was filled with problem products as the country had few coldstores with good storage conditions. There were problems with oxidation as well as with extended product shelflife.

Harvest

From the beginning of the year 2010 Russia's total harvest of finfish and other aquatic species amounted to ca.1,287,800 tonnes, 202,200 tonnes up on the corresponding result of 2009. The TACs were covered at 32.3%, 18.6% up on the corresponding result of last year.

Russian Sea

Common shares of OAO Russian Sea Group of Companies within the framework of IPO have been admitted to stock exchanges. More specifically, at RTS and MICEX shares of Russian Sea Group (state registration number of the share issue is 1-01-04461-D dated 3 March 2008, nominal value is RUB100.00 per share) have been traded out of the list, meaning that they are admitted to auctions within going through the listing procedure.

Official update

Russia and Japan have agreed the allowable volumes of salmon catches for the Japanese fishermen in the Russian EEZ. The commercial salmon quota 2010 for Japan has been agreed at 8447 tonnes, 23% up on last year and that has become the first quota increase in the recent three years.

Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Victor Zubkov has conducted a meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Norwegian commission on economic, industrial and scientific-technical cooperation. The nation's Federal Fisheries Agency suggest increasing the customs tariffs for export of frozen pollock, herring and mackerel as well as for frozen pollock fillets from 10% to 20%.

On the second week of April 2010 the auction has been held for sale of capture quota shares for driftnet salmon fishery in the Russian EEZ. Thirteen companies based in Kamchatka and Sakhalin have become winners of the auction.

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has informed that, according to the Memo on food and biological security of finfish and other aquatic products exported from India to the Russian Federation, the list of Indian companies approved for export of seafood to Russia have been added up with 20 companies.

Pink and chum salmon

As per the second week of April 2010 traders have been reporting a continuing decline of prices for Pacific salmon.

According to a director of a fish processing company, at present wholesalers have been offering Sakhalin pink salmon at about RUB75.00 per kilo. Kamchatka pink salmon has depreciated to RUB70.00 per kilo.

Fish processing companies which have earlier built up their coldstore inventories have now extended the products' storage life to be well provided with the raw material. According to the expert, many processors have been facing problems with storage life extension as pink salmon with higher fat content will oxidize due to the wrong temperature regime of coldstorage and the market has now plenty of such products.

Prices in Vladivostok amount to ca.RUB60.00 per kilo of head-on gutted pink salmon and RUB55.00 per kilo of w/r pink salmon.

The average price of head-on gutted pink salmon of good quality on the Moscow market starts from RUB75.00-80.00 per kilo. Pink salmon of medium quality has been offered at about RUB65.00-70.00 per kilo. Pink salmon w/r has been marketed from RUB74.00 to RUB78.00 per kilo. Headed pink salmon has been available from RUB79.00 per kilo.

Average prices for head-on gutted chum salmon amount to ca.RUR75.00-85.00 per kilo. Headed and gutted chum salmon has been offered at RUB80.00-90.00 per kilo.

Salmon caviar

Trade in salmon caviar which is regarded a deli item has been weak which can be attributed to seasonal factors.

The largest prices for salmon caviar Premium amounts to RUB1100-1200 per kilo. Actual prices amount to ca.RUB950-1000 per kilo.

As per the second week of April 2010 pink salmon roe of medium quality fit for canning has been offered at RUB800.00-850.00 per kilo.

Atlantic salmon and trout

In the first quarter of 2010 export of Norwegian salmon to Russia has reached 568 million NOK, 64% up on 221 million NOK in the first quarter of 2009. Russia has become the third largest export market for Norwegian salmon and the largest market beyond the EU. Chilled head-on salmon has been getting more and more important export product in Russia, occupying more than 90% of the total export value in Russia in the first quarter of 2010.

According to a representative of one large Moscow-based processor, prices for chilled salmon have grown strongly. As per the second week of April 2010 importers have been offering the raw material for processing from RUB300.00 per kilo of the sizes 4-4.5-6.7-8.8-9.

Export of Norwegian trout to Russia has declined while the product prices have increased. The trend has been confirmed by the Russian processors. The supply of Norwegian trout has been zero or extremely low.

Norwegian salmon SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow from RUB250.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUB260.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUB266.00 per kilo of the size 6-7, from RUB268.00 per kilo of the size 7-8 and from RUB270.00 per kilo of the size 8-9.

Chilean salmon PREMIUM has been marketed from RUB195.00 per kilo of the size 1-2, from RUB283.00 per kilo of the size 8-9, from RUB286.00 per kilo of the size 9-10 and from RUB290.00 per kilo of the size 10-15.

As per the second week of April 2010 Norwegian trout SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow at following prices: from RUB243.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUB260.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB268.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6, from RUB277.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5, and from RUB280.00 per kilo of the sizes 4.5+.

Chilean trout PREMIUM has been available in Moscow from RUB239.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUB250.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB265.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-4.0 and from RUB270.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5.

Faroese trout SUPERIOR has been offered from RUB255.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB270.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-4.0, from RUB290.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5 and at RUB295.00 per kilo of the size 4.5+.

Rainbow trout of various sizes from Spain has been sold in Moscow from RUB190.00 per kilo.

Herring

As per the second week of April 2010 herring prices have been gradually growing in Moscow. According a representative of a Murmansk-based company, herring has been absent at coldstores in Murmansk. Sales have been progressing mostly in Saint Petersburg.

The offer prices for Russian Atlantic herring in Saint Petersburg amount to ca.RUB24.00-26.00 per kilo of the size 200-300 and ca.RUR31.00-32.00 per kilo of the size 300+ subject to large wholesale purchases.

Norwegian herring has been offered in Saint Petersburg at the following prices: from RUB28.00 per kilo of the size 300+, from RUB36.00-38.00 per kilo of the size 350+ and from RUB53.00-55.00 per kilo of the size 400+.

Scottish herring has been available in Saint Petersburg from RUB24.50 per kilo of the size 200-300 and from RUB27.00-28.00 per kilo of the size 300+.

Norwegian butterfly herring fillets 5-8 have been traded in Saint-Petersburg from RUB44.00 per kilo, ex-coldstore, and the count 6-10 has been offered at RUB40.00-42.00 per kilo.

Icelandic herring fillets 4-8 and 5-8 have been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUB47.00-49.00 per kilo.

Herring fillets 6-10 and 7-12 made by Murmansk Trawl Fleet have been traded ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUB41.00-42.00 per kilo.

Mackerel

In the beginning of April 2010 market experts have been reporting a slight rise of prices for mackerel 300-500 and 400-600. The market has been saturated with products (various sizes) from Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Iceland, France and Russia.

As per the second week of April 2010, in Saint Petersburg Norwegian mackerel has been offered from RUB73.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, from RUB104.00-110.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and from RUB133.00-150.00 per kilo of the size 600+.

Scottish mackerel has been marketed in Saint Petersburg at the following prices: from RUB72.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, at RUB104.00-110.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and at RUB130.00-143.00 per kilo of the size 600+.

Irish mackerel has been traded from RUB72.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, from RUB105.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and at RUB130.00-143.00 per kilo of the size 600+ in Saint Petersburg.

Icelandic mackerel headed has been traded in Saint-Petersburg at RUB73.00 per kilo of the size 200-300 and at RUB88.00 per kilo of the size 300+.

Russian headed mackerel has been offered ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg from RUB69.00 per kilo of the sizes 250-350 and 200-400 depending on producer and quality.

Baltic herring, Baltic sprat

As per the second week of April 2010 traders have been reporting stable prices for Baltic sprat.

In particular, Estonian sprat 10-12 cm has been sold from RUB16.00 per kilo ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg.

Swedish sprat 10-12 cm has been available at RUB20.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg and RUB21.50 per kilo in Moscow.

Baltiс sprat harvested by the Russian vessels has been offered in Saint Petersburg from RUB14.50 per kilo.

As per mid-April 2010, prices for Baltic herring have increased as compared to the previous week.

Russian herring 12-15 has been sold in Saint Petersburg at RUB25.00 per kilo ex-coldstore.

Finnish herring has been traded from RUB21.50 per kilo of the size 12-15 cm, RUB25.00 per kilo of the size 15-17.

Latvian herring 14-16 has been available from RUB24.50 per kilo.

Swedish herring 14-18 has been marketed at RUB25.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg and at RUB26.50 per kilo in Moscow.

Capelin

According to a representative of a large Murmansk company, the capelin coldstore inventories in Murmansk amount to ca.8000 tonnes. The product shipments have been progressing stably while the supply as compared to the previous year has been lower and capelin prices have slightly increased. Besides, in 2010 the Russian fleet has not been harvesting black-backed capelin as it could not find the stock concentrations on the grounds.

As per the second week of April 2010, in Saint Petersburg Norwegian capelin has been available at following prices: RUB25.00 per kilo of the count 30-40, RUB24.00 per kilo of the count 35-45 and RUB20.00 per kilo of the count 40-50.

Russian capelin has been offered from RUB18.00 per kilo ex-coldstore in Murmansk. In Saint Petersburg capelin made by FOR Company has been available at RUB18.00-19.00 per kilo.

Blue whiting

Seasonal fishery of blue whiting in the international waters to the west of the British Isles has come to an end. Now the main area for the international trawl fishery of blue whiting for the coming month will be concentrated in the Faroese fishing zone.

The Russian blue whiting quota 2010 in the Faroese fishing zone has been approved at 43,700 tonnes, of which 96% have remained uncovered as per 12 March 2010. Some of the harvest has been contributed by Kaliningrad-based trawlers, Murmansk-based fishermen have only started harvesting blue whiting in the area. According to one Icelandic skipper, in the beginning of the second week of April 2010 only one Russian trawler was working in the south of the Faroese fishing zone, but the group was actively rising in number. In the middle of the month already ten Russian trawlers have been targeting the species on the grounds. The Icelandic group includes 8 vessels, fishing ships under other foreign flags have been heading for the grounds from the Scottish zone.

Experts say that the recent rise of blue whiting prices has been conditioned by stronger demand from the processors. Blue whiting as a cod species has been increasingly used for production of mince for fish sticks and other products. Therefore in the future prices are expected to fluctuate greatly from a downfall as the market grows saturated in the course of the fishing period to an uprise as the coldstore inventories get exhausted.

According to a spokesman of a large Murmansk company, trade in blue whiting has been very sluggish first of all due to extremely high prices in the recent past. The retail demand for the product has remained weak as the consumer has switched from blue whiting to other species and the consumer interest has not recovered yet. Wholesale prices have continued falling and the drop is forecasted to persist. Experts compare that trend with the dynamics on the salmon market when sales have halted against a price rise, and even a price decline has failed to recover the dynamics of shipments.

As for the situation as per mid-April 2010, as the blue whiting market has been growing saturated, prices have continued falling.

In the second week of April 2010 Scottish blue whiting 25+ has been offered ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg at RUB25.00 per kilo. Norwegian blue whiting has been available at RUB26.00-27.00 per kilo. Blue whiting made by Murmansk Trawl Fleet has been traded in Saint Petersburg at RUB26.00-27.00 per kilo.

Alaska pollock

Alaska pollock has remained Russia's top 1 species in terms of catch volumes. On the week from 7 to 14 April 2010 the Russian vessels harvested 38,610 tonnes of pollock. Just one week was left before the end of the A season in the Sea of Okhotsk.

As per the second week of April 2010 prices for headed pollock in regions and in Central Russia have continued falling, especially for small size pollock.

At present prices for headed pollock 25+ in Vladivostok amount to ca.RUB35.00 per kilo.

As per the second week of April 2010, in Moscow pollock 20+ has been sold from RUB45.00 per kilo, while the sizes 25+, 30+ and 35+ have been correspondingly available from RUB46.00, RUB49.00 and RUB49.50 per kilo.

Prices for skinned Chinese pollock fillets IQF ex-coldstore in Moscow have been stable. More specifically, fillets 6-8 have been offered by many suppliers from RUB53.00 per kilo, the count 8+ has been traded from RUB54.00 per kilo subject to large wholesale lots.

Hake

As per the second week of April 2010, the hake market has been showing a shortage of North American hake. The supply of hake 300-500 has been declining with mostly small sizes being on offer. The prices have been rising.

The supply of hake from Argentina, Uruguay and China has been sufficient, prices have been stable.

Canadian HGT hake 300-500 interleaved has been marketed ex-coldstore at RUB87.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg and at RUB93.00 per kilo in Moscow.

US hake 180-300 has been offered in Saint Petersburg at RUB81.00 per kilo.

In Moscow HGT hake IQF from Uruguay has been offered at ca.RUR71.00 per kilo of the size 150-300, at ca.RUR85.00 per kilo of the size 300-500 and at RUB92.00 per kilo of the size 500+. Meat in discs and cubes has been marketed from RUB64.00-66.00 per kilo.

Prices for Argentinean HGT hake amount to RUB92.00 per kilo of the size 300-500. Hake fillets 60-120, 100-200 and 300+ have been sold correspondingly at RUB121.00, 131.00 and RUB145.00 per kilo.

Chinese hake fillets skin-on 6-8 and 8+ have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUB75.00 per kilo.

Squid

On the threshold of the squid fishery start and due to the product shortage on the market, prices for magister squid have increased. Some large wholesalers have increased their prices to above RUB100.00 per kilo. At the same time, giant squid fillets have been getting depreciated.

The market supply of squid tubes in Vladivostok has been practically zero.

In Moscow squid tubes has been already offered from RUB95.00 to RUB105.00 per kilo. Squid tentacles have been available from RUB52.00 per kilo.

Cleaned squid tubes U10 and U5 of the Chinese origin have been traded in Saint Petersburg from RUB110.00 and RUB115.00-120.00 per kilo correspondingly.

Traders have started to offer giant squid fillets from Peru at RUB59.00-60.00 per kilo on the average.

Pangasius

After a recent fall of prices for pangasius fillets the market has been again showing a slightly positive trend. Importers have a comparably large volume of unsold products (made in 2008) at coldstores. Prices for such fillets have been low. At the same time prices for products made in 2009 have been several rubles higher.

In Moscow and Saint Petersburg many large importers and wholesalers have increased their average offer prices to RUB66.00 per kilo, the product lots to be shipped from Saint Petersburg.

In Moscow most of wholesale offers have been at the level of RUB67.00-72.00 per kilo.

Tilapia

Unlike pangasius, the general trend on the tilapia market has remained negative. As per the second week of April 2010, prices have continued declining.

More specifically, in Saint Petersburg tilapia fillets 3-5 ounces have been offered from RUB103.00 per kilo subject to prepayment, while the size 5-7 has been marketed at RUB105.00 per kilo.

Most of Moscow-based wholesalers have been offering prices at RUB105.00 per kilo of the count 3-5 and RUB106.00 per kilo of the count 5-7.

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