RUSSIA – Russia’s aquaculture industry is on a transformative path to self-reliance, with domestic fish feed production poised to meet 90% of the country’s demand by 2030. 

This bold ambition, announced by the Federal Agency for Fishery (Rosrybolovstvo), marks a pivotal shift in reducing dependency on foreign imports, a vulnerability exposed by recent sanctions and global trade disruptions.  

Currently, over 20 companies are actively producing aquafeed in Russia, with 2023 production exceeding 48,000 tonnes. By mid-2024, output had surged by 19%, reaching 41,000 tonnes compared to the previous year. 

The Federal Agency for Fishery projects that production capacity will surpass 220,000 tonnes annually by 2027, paving the way for Russia’s aquaculture sector to thrive.  

Government support has been central to this growth. The Ministry of Agriculture has rolled out subsidies covering up to 25% of direct capital costs for constructing and modernising fish feed production facilities. 

This initiative has spurred the development of advanced plants in regions like Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk, and Astrakhan, with total investments in some projects exceeding 4.4 billion rubles.  

A flagship example is the JSC “Fish Feed” facility in Astrakhan, which recently launched its first production phase with a 25,000-tonne annual capacity.

By 2025, the plant aims to double its output, producing specialised high-energy feed for salmon and trout.  

These developments come as aquaculture production in Russia continues its upward trajectory, growing by 4.8% in 2023 to 402,000 tonnes. 

Key species such as salmon, carp, and sturgeon dominate production, reflecting growing domestic demand and export opportunities.  

While Western sanctions disrupted Russia’s reliance on imported aquafeed, alternative sources from Turkey and Belarus temporarily filled the gaps. 

However, the government’s commitment to self-sufficiency underscores a long-term strategy to shield the industry from external shocks and position Russia as a leader in sustainable aquaculture.  

Norway signs fisheries deal with Russia

In related industry news, Norway and Russia have solidified a pivotal fisheries agreement for 2025, underscoring their commitment to sustainably manage fish stocks in the Barents Sea despite geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The agreement, achieved through digital negotiations, maintains their decades-long bilateral fisheries cooperation and provides much-needed stability to the fishing industry during a time of declining quotas.

Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, emphasised that the deal is vital for sustaining the fishing industry as key stocks like cod, haddock, and blue halibut face reduced quotas to address negative stock trends.

 For instance, the North-East Arctic cod quota has been slashed by 25%, its lowest level since 1991, while haddock and blue halibut quotas have also been cut. In a bid to protect marine ecosystems, the capelin fishery will remain closed in 2025.

The agreement also renews the commitment to scientific collaboration through a joint Norwegian-Russian research program. 

This initiative, which employs internationally recognised stock assessment methods, is essential for refining management strategies and ensuring sustainable fishing practices. 

Norway’s fishing industry has broadly supported the measures, with Fiskebåt, the Norwegian fishing industry organisation, acknowledging the importance of stringent quota reductions to allow stock recovery. 

Fiskebåt Chairman Christian Halstensen highlighted that maintaining strict control over catch limits is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of fish stocks and paving the way for future quota increases.

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