Overview of Moscow's freshfrozen fish market as per third week of November 2009

As per the third week of November 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.

As per 16 November 2009 Russia's total harvest of finfish and other aquatic species amounted to 3,228,000 tonnes, 311,800 tonnes up on the corresponding result of 2008. The TACs were covered at 81.1%, 10.7% up on the corresponding result of last year.

In October 2009 representatives from Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Rosselkhoznadzor went to Peru to inspect fishing and processing plants willing to export seafood to Russia. According to the results of the check, the Russian vets have approved and introduced fifty companies into the list of Peruvian fish processing plants/vessels.

In the third week of November 2009 Russia signed protocols on safety of seafood exports from Peru and Morocco.

Besides, Rosselkhoznadzor has circulated the information about plants/vessels from Denmark, Thailand, Norway, Singapore, Iceland, Poland, German and Ireland additionally approved for export to Russia.

In general, the third week of November 2009 showed strengthening prices for pink salmon, B. magister squid, blue whiting, pangasius fillets and tilapia fillets. Prices were falling for pelagic species, in particular for herring and mackerel.

Pink salmon and chum salmon

According to the market participants, as per 16 November 2009 sales of salmon species have remained strong. As, in particular, pink salmon is normally sold very well, its sales rise cannot be attributed to seasonal buoyancy on the market before the New Year. Traders report rising offer prices both for Kamchatka and Sakhalin pink salmon.

As per the third week of November 2009 the average offer price for pink salmon head-on gutted 1st grade made in Sakhalin fluctuates from RUB53.00 to RUB55.00 per kilo on Moscow's market. Kamchatka pink salmon is offered at about RUB50.00 per kilo. Whole pink salmon is marketed from RUB50.00 to RUB53.00 per kilo. Headed pink salmon is available at RUB65.00 per kilo.

Chum salmon head-on, gutted is offered at ca.RUB82.00-85.00 per kilo while chum salmon headless, gutted harvested in Sakhalin is offered at RUB93.00-96.00 per kilo. Kamchatka chum salmon headed is offered at RUB95.00 per kilo.

Caviar/roe

In the third week of November 2009 the caviar and roe market has remained stable. According to one large Moscow trader, pink salmon roe of medium quality is selling well with the prices for large lots of such products amounting to ca.RUB720.00-760.00 per kilo.

The offer price of salted salmon caviar made in 2009 amounts to RUB820.00 - 850.00 per kilo, though the sales volumes are low.

Atlantic salmon and trout

In the third week of November 2009, according to the Norwegian experts, in the fourth quarter of 2009 export of Atlantic salmon from Norway will rise by 10-15% on the corresponding result of 2008. Production decrease in Chile will amount to 81-86% equal to 15,000-20,000 tonnes of head-on gutted salmon. In the fourth quarter of 2009 production rise in Norway will amount to 5% to 56,000 tonnes of head-on gutted salmon, of which 20% have already been contracted.

According to statistic data, prices for Norwegian salmon from 2 to 8 November 2009 slightly increased from their very low level in the recent weeks. Chilled Atlantic salmon appreciated from 27.51 to 27.72 krones per kilo, while frozen salmon appreciated from 32.08 to 32.85 krones per kilo.

Several Moscow processors are reporting halts in shipments of chilled salmon from their suppliers. The situation with frozen salmon and trout in the capital looks comparably stable against the background of gradual rise of demand on the threshold of the New Year holidays.

As per the third week of November 2009 Norwegian salmon SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow from RUB215.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUB235.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUB245.00 per kilo of the size 6-7, from RUB250.00 per kilo of the size 7-8 and from RUB255.00 per kilo of the size 8-9.

Chilean salmon PREMIUM has been marketed from RUB215.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUB235.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUB245.00 per kilo of the size 6-7 and from RUB250.00 per kilo of the size 7-8.

Chilean salmon INDUSTRIAL has been traded from RUB185.00 per kilo of the size 4-5, from RUB215.00 per kilo of the size 5-6, from RUB225.00 per kilo of the size 6-7 and from RUB230.00 per kilo of the size 7-8.

As per the third week of November 2009 Norwegian trout SUPERIOR has been offered in Moscow at following prices: from RUB200.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUB215.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB230.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6, from RUB235.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5, and from RUB240.00 per kilo of the sizes 4.5+.

Chilean trout PREMIUM has been available in Moscow from RUB200.00 per kilo of the size 0.9-1.8, from RUB215.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB220.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-4.0, from RUB230.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5 and from RUB245.00 per kilo of the size 4.5+.

Rainbow trout of various sizes from Spain has been sold in Moscow from RUB210.00-220.00 per kilo.

Faroe trout has been traded from RUB220.00 per kilo of the size 1.8-2.7, from RUB230.00 per kilo of the size 2.7-3.6, from RUB235.00 per kilo of the size 3.6-4.5 and from RUB240.00 per kilo of the size 4.5+.

Herring

According to active traders, due to large catch volumes and large imports to Russia, prices for herring continue declining even despite increased consumption. The market has been pressed by cheap herring from Norway in combination with the depreciating USD. Along with the above, the fall of offer prices for Atlantic herring can be also attributed to shipments of Pacific herring to the regions of Siberia and the Urals which have been switching to Pacific herring. Traders report extremely small gap in prices for herring 200-300 and herring 300+. While prices for herring 200-300 have been stable due to comparably short market supply, herring 300+ has considerably depreciated and the gap in prices between these two sizes has reached RUB2.00-3.00 per kilo. While herring 200-300 has been offered at RUB22.00 per kilo, the size 300+ has fetched about RUB23.00-25.00 per kilo. Herring of large sizes has also been depreciating, just like herring fillets both from Norway and Iceland.

As per the third week of November 2009 the offer prices for Russian herring in Saint-Petersburg amounted to ca.RUB22.50-23.50 per kilo of the size 200-300 and ca.RUB25.00 per kilo of the size 300+.

Norwegian herring has been offered in Saint Petersburg at the following prices: from RUB22.00 per kilo of the size 200-300, from RUB26.50 per kilo of the size 300+, from RUB36.00 per kilo of the size 350+ and from RUB44.00 per kilo of the size 400+.

In Saint Petersburg Icelandic herring has been offered from RUB30.00 per kilo of the size 350+ and from RUB43.00 per kilo of the size 400+.

Norwegian butterfly herring fillets 4-8 have been traded in Saint-Petersburg from RUB46.00 per kilo, ex-coldstore, and the counts 6-10 and 8-12 have been offered correspondingly at RUB44.00 and RUB43.00 per kilo.

Icelandic herring fillets 4-8 and 5-8 have been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUB46.00 per kilo.

Mackerel

According to active market players, the negative price trend on the mackerel market has persisted, which can be attributed to rich supply of mackerel available from wholesalers against extremely weak demand.

As per the third week of November 2009, the mackerel prices have been falling for all the product sizes.

In Moscow Norwegian mackerel has been offered at RUB53.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, from RUB71.00 per kilo of the size 400-600 and at RUB96.00 per kilo of the size 600+.

Scottish mackerel has been marketed in Saint Petersburg at the following prices: from RUB55.00 per kilo of the size 300-500, at RUB71.50 per kilo of the size 400-600 and at RUB100.00 per kilo of the size 600+.

Icelandic mackerel headed has been traded in Saint- Petersburg at RUB58.00-62.00 per kilo of the size 200-400 and at RUB80.00 per kilo of the size 300+.

Canadian mackerel 400-600 has been traded in Saint Petersburg at RUB69.00 per kilo.

Irish mackerel has been traded at RUB98.50 per kilo of the size 600+ in Saint Petersburg.

Russian headed mackerel has been offered ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg from RUB55.00 per kilo of the sizes 200-300 and 200 - 400 depending on producer and quality. Mackerel 300-600 w/r has been offered approximately at RUB46.00 per kilo.

Baltic herring, Baltic sprat

As per the third week of November 2009 prices for Baltic sprat have been decreasing. In particular, Estonian sprat has depreciated with the size 10-12 cm sold from RUB21.00 per kilo ex-coldstore in Moscow.

Swedish sprat 10-12 cm has been available from RUB28.00-28.50 per kilo.

As per the third week of November 2009, prices for Baltic herring have remained comparably stable.

Swedish herring has been offered ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUB30.00 per kilo of the size 14-18.

Estonian herring has been marketed ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUB24.00 per kilo of the size 12-16.

Finnish herring has been traded at RUB25.00-27.00 per kilo of the size 12-15 cm.

Russian herring 20+ has been sold in Moscow at RUB20.00 per kilo.

Capelin

According to first deputy head of the Union of Fishermen of the North Mr. Valery Tikhonchum, at present the outlook for the capelin fishery looks vague because the research vessels have not been collecting data on the stock condition and now it is not clear if any of the fishing vessels dares go hunting for the species until the coming year 2010. Thus, most of the Russian fishing companies have been waiting for the spring capelin season to start in the first quarter of 2010.

As per the third week of November 2009, the situation on the capelin market has remained stable with a slight upward movement.

In Saint Petersburg Norwegian capelin has been available at following prices: RUB32.00-35.00 per kilo of the count 25-35, RUB28.00-32.00 per kilo of the count 30-40, RUB26.00-27.00 per kilo of the count 40-50 and RUB17.00 per kilo of the count 55-60.

Icelandic capelin 30-40 has been offered at RUB31.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg.

Canadian capelin has been offered at RUB34.50 per kilo of the size 30-40 and at RUB39.00 per kilo of the count 25-35 in Saint Petersburg subject to prepayment.

The Russian capelin made by ATF has been traded at RUB26.00-27.00 per kilo of the count 30-40 ex-coldstore in Moscow region subject to prepayment. Russian capelin made by Murmansk Trawl Fleet has been offered at RUB17.00-18.00 per kilo ex-coldstore in Moscow of the sizes 50-60, at RUB22.00-24.00 per kilo of the sizes 40-50 and at RUB26.00-32.00 per kilo of the sizes 30-40.

Blue whiting

As per the third week of November 2009 the blue whiting market has continued showing the lack of supply causing upward pressure on the prices.

In Murmansk the offer prices for blue whiting amounted to RUB35.00-40.00 per kilo.

In Saint Petersburg blue whiting 25+ has been traded at ca.RUB33.00-35.00 per kilo. Russian blue whiting has been sold in Saint Petersburg at RUB36.00-38.00 per kilo

In Moscow the fish has been sold from RUB39.00 per kilo.

Alaska pollock

From 10 to 17 November 2009 the Russian fishermen harvested 27,968 tonnes of pollock in the Russian Far East.

Since the beginning of the year 2009 the Russian fleets harvested nearly 1,150,000 tonnes of pollock. In the Bering Sea the Russian fishermen harvested 305,900 tonnes of the species, 194,000 tonnes down on last year. Other seas showed catch increases: the harvest in the Sea of Okhotsk amounted to 731,200 tonnes of pollock, 10.3% up on last year, the Sea of Japan - 1000 tonnes (+72.7%), the North and South Kuriles - 92,200 tonnes (+125.8%).

In general, the situation on the pollock market has remained stable. Prices for headed and gutted pollock in the course of the week under analysis have remained unchanged, while the Chinese double frozen fillets have continued depreciating. The price decline has been due to weakening USD rate.

As per the third week of November 2009, in Vladivostok headed pollock 25+ has been sold from RUB46.00-48.00 per kilo, while headed pollock in Moscow ex-coldstore have been traded at RUB58.00 per kilo for the size 25+. Sizes 30+ and 35+ have been marketed from RUB58.50-59.00 per kilo and from RUB59.50-60.00 per kilo correspondingly.

Skinned Chinese pollock fillets IQF have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUB54.00 per kilo of the count 6-8 and from RUB56.00 per kilo of the count 8+ subject to large wholesale lots.

Hake

As per the third week of November 2009, the prices for the North American hake have remained comparably stable. Prices for products from Argentina have continued decreasing. Importers say that hake shipments to Russia have been generous, while the demand for the product has remained comparably flat.

Canadian HGT hake 300-500 interleaved has been sold ex-coldstore in Saint Petersburg from RUB70.00 per kilo, while the size 250+ has been offered at RUB66.50 per kilo. Canadian hake 300-600 IQF has been offered from RUB72.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg.

HGT hake IQF from Uruguay 500+ has been offered from RUB89.00 per kilo in Saint Petersburg, meat in discs and cubes has been marketed from RUB60.00 per kilo.

Prices for American HGT hake in Saint Petersburg amount to RUB96.00 per kilo of the size 500-800, while fillets 320+ and 120+ have been available at RUB142.00 and RUB130.00 per kilo correspondingly.

Chinese hake fillets skin-on have been sold ex-coldstore in Moscow at RUB75.00 per kilo of the count 6-8 and from RUB77.00 per kilo of the count 8+.

Squid

During the week from 11 to 18 November 2009 the total Russian harvest of B.magister squid dramatically decreased to 632 tonnes. Since the beginning of the season through to 17 November 2009 the vessels owned by BAMR-Roliz harvested ca.29,785 tonnes of squid in the Northwest Pacific waters.

As per the third week of November 2009, the market prices for magister squid have started slightly rising. In the western part of Russia no price rise has been observed so far, but it is expected in the near future. Squid tubes produced by NBAMR have been available in the Russian Far East from RUB53.00 per kilo, while tentacles have been sold from RUB40.00 per kilo. Imported squid has slightly appreciated.

Squid made by NBAMR has been available ex-coldstore in Moscow from RUB64.00 per kilo. The offer prices subject ot prepayment start from RUB62.00 per kilo.

Double-frozen skinned squid fillets made by Okeanrybflot have been sold at RUB100.00 per kilo, while interleaved fillets have been sold at RUB112.00 per kilo.

Fillets of giant squid from Peru have been offered in Moscow from RUB41.00-43.00 per kilo.

Cleaned squid tubes U5, 7, 10 of the Chinese origin have been traded from RUB83.00 to RUB95.00 per kilo in Moscow.

Saury

In the Russian Far East the saury catches have fallen again to 188 tonnes from 11 to 18 November 2009.

Saint-Petersburg based importer says that last year fairly strong volumes of saury have been imported from Taiwan. This year Russian vets have not signed veterinary permits for importation from Taiwan without explaining the reasons. Japan remains approved and shipments from the country have been running at full swing, but prices in Japan have always been higher than in Taiwan and now there is a reason for another rise of prices as the demand is fairly strong and stable.

Frozen Japanese saury 120-150 has been marketed in Saint Petersburg at RUB55.00-60.00 per kilo.

Saury made by Gidrostroy has been offered at RUB64.00 per kilo in Moscow.

Wholesale prices for canned saury in 250-gram cans has been fluctuating from RUB26.00 to RUB46.00 per kilo depending on the producer.

Pangasius

As per the third week of November 2009 the prices for pangasius fillets have continued strengthening.

Large importers have been offering pangasius at RUB67.00 per kilo at the minimum.

The majority of offers from wholesalers start from RUB70.00-75.00 per kilo.

Tilapia

As per the third week of November 2009 prices for the Chinese tilapia fillets have continued strengthening. The minimum prices from the importers have jumped approximately by RUB2.00-4.00 per kilo.

In Saint Petersburg there are single offers of tilapia fillets 3-5 ounces at prices from RUB85.00 per kilo subject to prepayment, while the size 5-7 has been marketed at RUB90.00 per kilo. However, most of the importers have already asked higher prices.

Cash on delivery prices amount to ca. RUB92.00 per kilo of the count 3-5 and RUB95.00 per kilo of the count 5-7.

Shrimp

As per the third week of November 2009 the situation on the shrimp market has been comparably stable showing a slight downward pressure on prices.

Frozen pink shrimp from Denmark has been offered at RUB110.00-115.00 per kilo of the count 50/70, at RUB75.00-85.00 per kilo of the count 70/90 and at RUB70.00 per kilo of the count 90/120.

Head-on white shimp Vannamei from Thailand has been marketed at RUB170.00 per kilo of the count 51-60, at RUB180.00 per kilo of the count 41-50 and at RUB205.00 per kilo of the count 31-40.