Domestic buyers rushing for pollock before China comes back into play
Close to mid-February the market situation in the Russian Far East has been developing against the background of lagging pollock catch, the remaining trade with China and South Korea as well as fears of the Russian buyers that China will resume purchases on a big scale, taking reefer loads of pollock, etc. as of 18 February, reports Megafishnet.com.
Meanwhile, the domestic market in the region has been showing a brisk demand for Alaska Pollock, squid and mackerel and a weakening demand for herring.
Chinese ports remain closed for transport vessels until 18 February 2021. The catches from the fishing grounds are shipped by reefers either to Vladivostok or to Korea to be further unloaded to containers bound for China. The container terminals have never been closed in the PRC keeping this trading channel open to the Russian exporters. Korean ports let transport vessels in, but the coldstores are practically stocked now.
The slowdown is good for domestic buyers who are in a hurry to fill their inventories with relatively cheap pollock before China opens to trigger an export surge.
Frozen seafood delivery tariff from Vladivostok to Moscow by railway grew to RUR15-16 per kg.
Alaska pollock
Prices for headed pollock keeps on growing. The fishing situation remains weak with catches lagging well behind the last year result. As per early February, the lag exceeded 85 thousand tonnes.
On the international market Russian HG pollock 25+ fetches USD1,200-1,250 per tonne CFR China. Buying activity remains low on the threshold of coming Lunar New Year holidays in China.
Due to the situation in China, Russian-made fillets and minced meat are in high demand in the EU. The main products are exported at attractive prices.
APO products prices CFR/ex-coldstore Vladivostok for Russian Domestic Market
|
Products |
Price in RUB per kilo, Inc. VAT |
Trend |
|
|
min |
max |
||
|
Alaska pollock HG 20+ |
58 CFR |
60 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Alaska pollock HG 25+ |
65 CFR |
68 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Alaska pollock HG 30+ |
75 CFR |
80 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Alaska pollock fillet (produced onboard) |
205 CFR |
210 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Alaska pollock fillet (produced onshore) |
200 CFR |
205 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Alaska pollock mince |
135 CFR |
140 ex-coldstore |
Stable, good demand |
Pacific Herring
The demand for small herring on the Russian market is weak due to the selling pressure.
Demand for herring 300+ remains strong.
Herring prices CFR/ex-coldstore Vladivostok for domestic market
|
Products |
Price in RUR per kilo, inc.VAT |
Trend |
|
|
min |
max |
||
|
Olyutorsky herring 300-400 |
70 CFR |
73 CFR |
Stable |
|
Olyutorsky herring 400-500 |
85 CFR |
86 CFR |
Stable |
|
Olyutorsky herring 500+ |
105 CFR |
107 CFR |
Stable |
|
Sea of Okhotsk herring 200-300 g |
41 CFR |
45 CFR |
Down |
|
Sea of Okhotsk herring 300+ g |
65 CFR |
68 CFR |
Down |
|
Okhotsk herring fillets |
113 CFR |
115 CFR |
Demand stays strong. |
Other products
Other seafood products prices CFR/ex-coldstore FOB Vladivostok for domestic market
|
Products |
Price in RUR per kilo, inc.VAT |
Trend |
|
|
min |
max |
||
|
Commander squid |
130 CFR |
140 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Squid tentacles |
210 CFR |
215 ex-coldstore |
Up |
|
Saffron cod HG |
70 |
78 |
Up |
|
Yellowfin sole w/r 21+ |
50 CFR |
55 ex-coldstore |
Down |
|
Rock sole HG |
90 CFR |
110 CFR |
Trends depend on the size |
|
Cod HG |
140 CFR |
145 CFR |
Trends depend on the size |
|
Iwashi sardine WR |
36 CFR |
42 CFR |
Stable |
|
Pacific chub Mackerel WR 200-400 |
90 CFR |
92 CFR |
Stable |
Source of price information: Megafishnet.com