Aquaculture output in Russia jumping by ca.38% in Q1 2020

According to preliminary data, in January-March 2020, Russia produced more than 112.8 thousand metric tons of farmed fish, by 37.5% up on Q1 2019.

The biggest growth was recorded in Russia’s Far East - almost 80% to 39.53 thousand tonnes. The output of farmed fish in Siberia jumped by 53.7% to almost 678 tons. The third top region in terms of growth rates was Southern Federal District showing a rise of 38.7% to about 29.17 thousand tonnes.

As for the species, the highest growth, namely 2.2-fold to 17.67 thousand tonnes, was recorded for kelp. Among other target species with the biggest growth rates there were invertebrates and cyprinids, which output in Q1 2020 increased by 52.8% and 28.3% respectively to almost 23 thousand tonnes and 34.76 thousand tonnes.

Development of Russia’s aquaculture has been encouraged by auctions for sale of new areas for inland and marine aquaculture. Such auctions took off three years ago after the federal law on aquaculture had entered into force.