Russia’s proposed aquafeed import ban sparks industry concerns  

RUSSIA – Russia is contemplating a partial ban on aquafeed imports to bolster domestic production, which has raised alarms among fish farmers, particularly those breeding salmon and sturgeon. 

The proposal, revealed by Roman Artemiev, director of the Russian aquaculture institute VNIRO, aims to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on foreign aquafeed, which accounts for nearly 60% of supply.  

While the ban would exclude reproductive feed, which is scarcely produced domestically, the decision is being heavily lobbied by Russian aquafeed manufacturers.

Herman Zverev, president of VARPE, a leading fish industry union, noted that proposals are under review and will be subject to a vote.  

The push for self-reliance comes amid a boom in Russia’s aquafeed production. In the first nine months of 2024, production soared by 39%, reaching 48,000 tonnes. 

Industry projections suggest even greater expansion, with seven new feed mills under construction and an expected output of 500,000 tonnes annually by 2030, according to the National Association of Industrial Aquaculture Enterprises (NAPA).  

A move to meet specialised needs 

Despite these strides, the country’s aquafeed sector struggles to meet the specialised needs of salmon and sturgeon farming. 

High-protein feed, crucial for these species, is largely imported from countries like Spain, Norway, and Turkey due to Russia’s lack of advanced technologies and quality raw materials.  

Imported feed often undercuts domestic products in price, partly due to European subsidies, making foreign options more attractive to Russian farmers. 

Alexander Fomin, director of the Association of Production and Trading Enterprises of the Fish Market, warned that a ban could disrupt business, as the salmon and sturgeon segments consume around 100,000 tonnes of feed annually.  

“The absence of imported feed will halt operations for many businesses,” Fomin cautioned.  

NAPA has called for caution, proposing measures like subsidised bank loans for farmers to purchase Russian-made aquafeed. 

However, Alexander Novikov, president of the Russian Union of Sturgeon Breeders, expressed scepticism, arguing that financial support alone will not address quality concerns in local feed production.  

The debate underscores the tension between promoting domestic production and maintaining the quality and affordability of aquafeed. 

While the proposed ban aligns with Russia’s broader goals of self-sufficiency, industry stakeholders stress the need for a balanced approach to avoid crippling the aquaculture sector.  

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