Chapter 5: Russia’s Role in International Fish and Seafood Trade

Frode Nilssen

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-77451-6_6

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter sheds light on Russia’s changed role in the international seafood trade system and discusses to what extent the new more export-oriented turn is sustainable. Russia’s seafood trade policy has changed significantly over time, from directing just about all of the production to the domestic market during the Soviet period, to increasingly pursuing a dual strategy as both an importer and exporter from 2000 onwards. The first section gives a brief account of Soviet-era seafood production and trade. The second part offers a perspective on seafood trade during the early post-Soviet period. The third part examines how the introduction of Food Security Doctrines and the 2014 embargo have influenced Russia’s seafood trade. The final section provides an outlook for the future. Similar to agriculture, concerns over food security are likely to lead to a reduced role as a seafood importer and a larger role as a seafood exporter. The structure of Russia’s seafood exports will continue to tilt towards Asian markets, with European markets assuming a secondary role.

Highlights

This chapter examines Russia’s role in the global seafood trade system over time and concludes with perspectives on its future role.1 The chapter examines three periods of Russia’s seafood production and trade: (1) the development of Soviet fishing industry; (2) the early post-Soviet period (1991–2001); and (3) the Putin period of consolidation
The last section of the chapter presents an outlook for the future role of Russia in global seafood trade
A key question is how Russia balances the tension between food security concerns and business interests related to foreign trade

Summary

Introduction

This chapter examines Russia’s role in the global seafood trade system over time and concludes with perspectives on its future role. The chapter examines three periods of Russia’s seafood production and trade: (1) the development of Soviet fishing industry; (2) the early post-Soviet period (1991–2001); and (3) the Putin period of consolidation. This chapter examines Russia’s role in the global seafood trade system over time and concludes with perspectives on its future role.. The chapter examines three periods of Russia’s seafood production and trade: (1) the development of Soviet fishing industry; (2) the early post-Soviet period (1991–2001); and (3) the Putin period of consolidation. The last section of the chapter presents an outlook for the future role of Russia in global seafood trade. My analysis fits into the larger literature on the Russian government’s dual concern for food security in the domestic market on the one hand and a desire for Western currency from export earnings on the other.. A key question is how Russia balances the tension between food security concerns and business interests related to foreign trade. During the past 20 years Russia’s seafood trade policy has emphasised both exports and a concern that domestic supplies are sufficient. During the presidency of Dmitrii Medvedev (2008–2012), some noticeable changes in seafood import policy were made following the introduction

Nilssen (B)

The Development of the Soviet-Russian Seafood Industry

The Early Post-Soviet Period (1991–2001)

The Putin Period of Consolidation

The Food Embargo and Its Impact on Russia’s Global Seafood Trade

Findings

Outlook