冻品攻略

Russian Pollock Roe Redirected to China, Japan and South Korea Supply to Drop by One-Third

Source: 冻品攻略2026-04-18 08:000 views0 comments

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In 2026, the Russian pollock roe market first saw news of reduced production, followed closely by adjustments in trade flows. The latest market information shows that after the end of Russia's A season, pollock roe production as of April 10 stood at 29,100 tonnes, down 15% year-on-year and down 17% from 2024. Fishing conditions in the main producing area, the Sea of Okhotsk, were unfavorable, dragging down roe output, and the supply available to traditional buyers Japan and South Korea will also tighten significantly this year.

This contraction is not just about lower production; the quality structure is also changing. Russia reports that in the 2026 A season, Russia's total pollock catch fell 3.5% year-on-year, with the Sea of Okhotsk production area down 10% to 761,000 tonnes. The share of small-sized fish increased, and roe matured earlier, with about 90% of April production likely falling into mizuko, the over-mature roe grade. For the Japanese and Korean markets, what is really tight is the export supply of higher-maturity, better-grade roe.

With supply tightening, Russian companies have not continued to prioritize the limited supply for old markets, but have shifted direction toward China and the domestic market. Russian companies expect that, affected by major producers' adjustments to shipment structures, supply to the Japanese and Korean markets in 2026 will decrease by about one-third compared with the previous year, to about 12,000 tonnes. On the other hand, Sigma Group plans to ship about 500 tonnes to China this year, and domestic sales will also rise from about 200 tonnes last year to 800 tonnes, and continue to increase.

This is a very direct trading signal for Chinese buyers. In the past, Russian pollock roe was more maturely absorbed through Japanese and Korean channels, and the price system was also more centered on Busan auctions. Now Russia is proactively diverting part of the supply to China, essentially giving the Chinese market more opportunities to take delivery. Russia discloses that China's imports of Russian pollock roe in 2025 are estimated to have reached 2,750 tonnes; development projects around the Chinese market aim to form stable demand of 5,000 tonnes per year. Chinese buyers' presence in this category is no longer just supplementary purchasing.

Prices are also matching this round of flow changes. Busan auction prices have fallen from about USD 5.50/kg last year to USD 4.80-5.50/kg this year. Russian fishing companies also proactively reduced the volume placed at Busan auctions this year, with sales dropping to about 3,500 tonnes, putting more effort into Russian domestic and Chinese demand. For Japanese and Korean buyers, lower prices have not brought more supply; for the Chinese market, Russia is gradually pulling roe that originally relied on traditional export channels toward new sales destinations.