Trends of export FOB prices of Russian seafrozen pollock products in 2004 - 2008

In the period 2004 - 2008 the FOB prices of Russian Far East seafrozen pollock products demonstrated various dynamics with overall tendency to increase, sources in a large fishing company told http://www.fishnet-russia.com/ (https://www.fishnet.ru/).

Prices of seafrozen walli pollock products FOB fishing area RUB/tone (concrete example of a large fleet)

Note: Most of the exporters offer practically the same price +/- USD10.00 per ton, according to the source in the combine.

Alaska pollock has been fished both in the inshore waters and on high seas in the EEZ. The pollock in the inshore waters is of smaller size, not so white in colour and is more prone to diseases and infections. Besides, the main proportion of the inshore pollock has been harvested by on-shore processors which buy fuel in Russia and consequently are entitled to VAT refund for the fuel. That is the reason why the inshore pollock has been mainly supplied to the domestic market while the at-sea pollock has been exported.

The headed pollock has been sold mostly (99.9%) to the Russian and the Chinese market. Headed pollock has been consumed in Russia in the form "as it is" and in China it has been reprocessed (mainly into double frozen fillets) to be exported to Japan, USA, Europe. The typical sizes of H/G APO of Russian manufacture are 25-30, 30-35, 35+.

W/R pollock has been sold almost only to the South Korea, or this is the fish of small size not fit to be processed at sea.

At sea processed APO fillet blocks are almost at 100% exported to the EU markets. All the exporters have been offering practically the same price of +/- USD10.00 per ton. Largest Russian exporters have been selling the pollock at a price equivalent to a typical EXW Europe price excluding delivery costs. The frozen at-sea fillet blocks have been marketed in Russia at the same price as in Europe (except for the difference in transportation costs).

APO mince has been the by-product of fillets processing.

Pollock roe has been the most expensive product and the prices are extremely confidential and will not be disclosed beyond the contracted parties.

Pollock milt has been demanded mainly in South Korea and the local market has been very limited. When it is satisfied the rest of the milt has been impossible to sell at any price.

Fish meal and fish oil have also been the by-products of processing.