We're tracking the fast-moving developments from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. You can find regular updates here, and track all of our stories at the following dedicated page.

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Track the Ukraine Crisis with Alerts
Keep up with the fast-moving developments and the impact on seafood with the Alert Ukraine Crisis.

Tuesday April 12, 5.06 am CET

Russia's invasion forces Europe’s largest shrimp farm to close after just four months of operation

The company's first crop was donated to the Ukrainian army.

Read full story.

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Monday April 11, 5.07 pm CET

Viciunai transporting war dead, delivering food aid to support Ukraine

Around another 20 Viciunai employees have joined the conflict on the Ukrainian side as the firm steps up humanitarian and logistical aid to the invaded nation.

Read full story.

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Friday April 8, 4.30 pm CET

Major whitefish species escape latest EU sanctions on Russian seafood

The EU Council approved the fifth package of sanctions against Russia on Friday in light of the ongoing war against Ukraine.

Read full story.

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Thursday April 7, 8:01 am CET

Surimi giant Viciunai seeks buyer for Russian business as it vows to wrap up operations

The termination of the business in Russia could be completed within three to four months, according to CEO Sarunas Matijosaitis.

Read full story.

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Thursday April 7, 7:01 am CET

Russia’s seafood industry searching for routes to ease sanction pressure

Domestically produced frozen whitefish fillets could replace imports, while processors call for export restrictions.

Read full story.

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Wednesday April 6, 1:34 pm CET

Proposed EU import ban on Russian seafood unlikely to include major whitefish species

Multiple sources suggest the proposed ban -- which is still being negotiated by member states -- will mainly impact caviar and certain crustaceans, but not whitefish.

Read full story.

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Wednesday April 6, 10:51 am CET

'The company's strategic priorities remain the same': Russian Fishery Company pushes ahead with plans despite recent ownership upheaval

Last month, the company's majority owner sold off his share in the Russian pollock and crab giant just a day after being put on the US sanctions list because of his connection to a Russian oligarch.

Read full story.

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Tuesday April 5, 5:34 pm CET

UK government temporarily drops 35% Russian whitefish import tariff, citing need to review impact

The government said it is temporarily removing whitefish from the sanctions list, but it remains committed to adding additional duties on Russian seafood imports.

Read full story.

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Tuesday April 5, 3:51 pm CET

New round of proposed EU sanctions on Russia includes seafood

The fifth round of sanctions against Russia will include specific new import bans worth €5.5 billion.

Read full story.

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Thursday March 31, 3:58 pm CET

Russia threatens to unilaterally increase Bering Sea pollock harvest

The head of the country's top fisheries agency said it is considering doubling its catch in one of the largest Alaska pollock fishing areas, threatening three decades of cooperative management in one of the world's most important fishing areas.

Read full story.

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Thursday March 31, 3:39 pm CET

US crab harvesters unlikely to fill Russia supply gap, with prices at record highs

Supply has been impacted by lower quotas and closures in Alaska, while demand grows.

Read full story.

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Wednesday March 30, 3:39 pm CET

Russia suspended from International Council for the Exploration of the Seas

Directors of key international fisheries management body voted to suspend the country effective immediately.

Read full story.

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Wednesday March 30, 9:30 am CET

More than 3,000 tons of food destroyed in Viciunai warehouse bombing, as company continues to wind down Russian factory

The surimi heavyweight will continue to operate in Russia until its current stock of raw materials is processed.

Read full story.

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Wednesday March 30, 9:01 am CET

French processors warn Ukraine crisis is leading to 'brutal reduction' in seafood supply

Companies are calling for state intervention to head off a new supply crisis sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Read full story.

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Wednesday March 30, 8:00 am CET

Can pangasius fill the whitefish void in wake of Russian shutdowns?

A number of factors come into play as western processors begin to forsee a possible scramble for product.

Read full story.

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Tuesday March 29, 8:32 am CET

Despite certifier decision, existing Marine Stewardship Council eco-labels not currently at risk for Russian pollock and cod fisheries

Though a group tasked with overseeing the agencies that determine whether or not a fishery meets the MSC standard has suspended its Russian activities, the caveats to the decision appear to allow for business as usual -- for now.

Read full story.

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Monday March 28, 3:54 pm CET

Just as shipping costs show signs of levelling, Ukraine crisis threatens to drive them back up

Seafood exporters seeking any meaningful reduction in shipping cost are likely to have to wait some time.

Read full story.

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Monday March 28, 1:01 pm CET

French supermarket retailer keeps Russian operations running

Auchan, the France-based supermarket group, said it is keeping its stores in Russia open to protect the livelihoods of its 30,000 workers and "to meet the essential food needs of the civilian population."

Closing activities in Russia would put employees and their families in great precariousness and would deprive, in a period of high inflation, the population of the services of a discounter distributor, which has been operating in the country for 20 years.

The retailer said it has halted investments in Auchan Russia, which runs autonomously.

"Auchan Russia is currently not making any profit and, in the current context, is forecasting losses for 2022," the company said in a statement.

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Monday March 28, 9:01 am CET

'People are going to have to be more adventurous': Ukraine crisis forces UK fish and chip shops to trial cheaper alternative species

Runaway whitefish inflation linked to fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the already damaging cost of living crisis may force a rethink among businesses and consumers.

Read full story.

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Friday March 25, 4:07 pm CET

Gleb Frank sells stakes in Russian Fishery Company, Russian Crab Group

The primary owner and chairman of one of Russia’s largest whitefish companies was included on an updated US sanctions list on March 24, the same day he sold his stake in the company.

Read full story.

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Friday March 25, 1:39 pm CET

Russian Fishery Company owner included on updated US sanctions list

The move could seriously complicate the business of the Russian whitefish giant.

Read full story.

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Friday March 25, 9:01 am CET

Aquaculture equipment group Akva will not enter into new contracts with Russian customers

Contracts the company entered into prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine will be honored, it said.

Read full story.

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Friday March 25, 9:01 am CET

Russia supply crunch sends Alaska pollock prices soaring to 15-year highs

Pricing situation has reached record highs not seen in the Alaska pollock industry since 2008.

Read full story.

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Friday March 25, 8:01 am CET

Inflationary pressure on aquaculture feed likely to be long-lasting with Ukraine's wheat production threatened

An executive with one feed company fears the inability of Ukrainian farmers to plant crops will have a long-term impact on seafood consumption. Meanwhile the company's staff in the country is safe, but has faced nightmarish consequences from Russia's invasion.

Read full story.

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Friday March 25, 12:04 am CET

US government extends deadline for enforcement of Russia seafood ban

Companies now have additional months to receive incoming shipments.

Read full story.

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Thursday March 24, 2:43 pm CET

'We are being politically attacked': Viciunai hits back at claims it delayed halting operations in Russia

The company has reiterated its stance of exiting the Russian market.

Read full story.

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Thursday March 24, 10:00 am CET

Icelandic group forced to recall vessel headed for Ukraine with full cargo of fish

The company is just the latest to be impacted by Russia's destructive campaign against Ukraine.

Read full story.

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Thursday March 24, 6:00 am CET

Ecuador shrimp exports to Russia drop, with further reductions to come

While the Russian market wanes in importance, China shows further signs of recovery, according to the latest statistics.

Read full story.

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Wednesday March 23, 12:51 pm CET

Washington State lawmaker the latest to throw weight behind Russia seafood ban

Cantwell joins Alaska lawmakers in condemning Russia for its actions against Ukraine.

Read full story

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Wednesday March 23, 9:02 am CET

Atlantic cod prices are at record highs; Russia could send them even higher

If Russian fish disappears from the European market, one analyst said, the market can expect a sharp price jump.

Read full story

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Wednesday March 23, 9:01 am CET

A month into Ukraine's invasion, frozen fish giant Nomad still silent on Russian sourcing strategy

The group said on the day of the invasion it had a plan in place for alternative fish supplies, but has said nothing since.

Read full story.

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Wednesday March 23, 7:01 am CET

Polar Seafood Chairman: Keeping Russian factory open or not 'like choosing between pestilence and cholera'

Polar Seafood Group has offices across several regions, including in both Russia and Ukraine, and the company has has no plans to shut its Russian factory.

Read full story

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Tuesday March 22, 10:00 am CET

Greenland politician puts pressure on Polar Seafood to abandon Russian market

Contrary to many Western companies which have withdrawn from Russia following its attack on Ukraine, Polar Seafood has boosted production and sales of fishery products in Russia.

Read full story

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Tuesday March 22, 7:51 am CET

In ironic twist, Russia’s single-frozen pollock production jumped 50% last year

The country's shift toward production of value-added products coveted by Western markets appears increasingly in vain.

Read full story

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Monday March 21, 2:06 pm CET

'It’s going to be a big balancing act': New seafood processing hubs to emerge from global crises, Slade Gorton CEO says

The war in Ukraine is only the latest crisis prompting the industry to reassess where processing needs to shift, the executive said.

Read full story

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Friday March 18, 10.45 pm CET

Slade Gorton donating 100% of proceeds from sale of Russian inventory to Ukraine

'It was important to us that we find a creative solution to ensuring this food did not go to waste, while at the same time doing our small part to aid those most affected by this devastating crisis,' CEO Kim Gorton said.

Read full story

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Friday March 18, 4.25 pm CET

'These prices are not sustainable': Russia's war in Ukraine pushes Norwegian farmed salmon prices back up

Reduced salmon availability and Russia's invasion of Ukraine are pushing salmon prices back up and causing a slew of other problems across the market.

Read full story

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Friday March 18, 8.31 am CET

Akva Group hires lawyers to navigate Russian sanctions

Current sanctions against Russia will not significantly affect Akva Group’s earnings, the company said.

Read full story

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Friday March 18, 8.16 am CET

Young's still mulling Russian seafood purchasing plans, seeks clarity on implications of new whitefish tariffs

The processor said earlier it is 'reviewing' its supply chain, but has made no commitments to step away from the fish following Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine.

Read full story

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Thursday March 17, 9.16 pm CET

Sysco extends ban on Russian products to international operations, including Brakes, M&J Seafood, Davigel

The foodservice giant is in the process of finding alternative suppliers 'as rapidly as possible.'

Read full story

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Thursday March 17, 4.52 pm CET

Espersen suspends activities in Russia after McDonald's decision

Earlier this month, fast-food giant McDonald’s temporarily closed 847 restaurants in Russia in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Read full story

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Thursday March 17, 10.21 am CET

German retailers Lidl, Kaufland pull down shutters on Russian product

Parent group Schwarz is the biggest retailer in Europe.

Read full story

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Thursday March 17, 9.45 am CET

Putin's Russian colleague has two trawlers at this Norway fish yard. Now work has stopped on them both.

And he's not the only sanctioned Russian with seafood connections.

Read full story

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Wednesday March 16, 4.00 pm CET

Japan pulls key trade status for Russia, with likely consequences for seafood suppliers

The move will almost certainly impact rates on seafood and throw a wrench in plans by Russian Fishery Company and others to ramp up exports of value-added products to the country.

Read full story

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Wednesday March 16, 1.00 pm CET

US government sets deadline for enforcement of Russia seafood ban

US seafood industry groups remain concerned the executive order will not be enough to stop all seafood originating from Russia entering the United States.

Read full story

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Wednesday March 16, 9.32 am CET

EU fishing sector calls for emergency measures to keep fleet going in wake of skyrocketing costs

Industry believes the EU needs to focus on how to strengthen its seafood supply from EU-based companies, and not seek imports from anywhere else in the world to fill the gap.

Read full story

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Wednesday March 16, 8.03 am CET

Viciunai warehouse, Auchan seafood supplier factory burnt to ground by Russian bombing in Ukraine

It comes as Viciunai receives criticism for the alleged delay in closing its Russian processing factory.

Read full story

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Tuesday March 15, 9.26 pm CET

Cargill and rival feed, grain giants scale back Russian activities

While some producers have halted business altogether, others continue to provide 'essential' food supplies.

Read full story

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Tuesday March 15, 4.44 pm CET

'You can't apply sanctions without losers': NGO calls for boycott of Russian fish in the UK as seafood buyers start scramble for alternatives

The call comes as the UK government announces an additional 35 percent tariff on the nation's whitefish imports.

Read full story

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Tuesday March 15, 11.29 am CET

UK issues sanctions against Russian whitefish

Russian imports of whitefish will face an additional tariff increase of 35 percentage points, over and above any existing tariff rate under the terms of the move.

Read full story

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Tuesday March 15, 8.01 am CET

‘We need to brace ourselves’: Official ban or not, the removal of Russian seafood from UK, EU seafood supply chains stands to have colossal consequences

Both the EU and UK are heavily dependant on Russian whitefish imports and -- with the US banning trade last week -- uncertainty in the sector is rife with all the talk of sanctions and economic action.

Read full story

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Monday March 14, 9.09 am CET

UK fish and chip sector facing worst crisis in history amid expected Ukraine fallout

Around 40 percent of the industry's fish comes from Russia.

Read full story

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Sunday March 13, 5.26 pm CET

Trident Seafoods CEO: US ban on Russian fish imports could include products reprocessed in China

The ban, as it stands, impacts only a small amount of seafood shipped shipped directly from Russia.

Read full story

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Sunday March 13, 1.32 pm CET

Ukraine's largest salmon processor shelled by Russian army; facility destroyed

Bombs hit a key Kyiv warehouse, razing the building and all its inventory.

Read full story

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Friday March 11, 8.19 pm CET

US seafood industry backs Russia seafood ban, but says clarity is needed on its impact

The US seafood industry is waiting for Biden's executive order to clarify if the ban would apply to Russian-origin products that are reprocessed in China.

Read full story

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Friday March 11, 7.44 pm CET

Russian seafood escapes EU/UK ban after Ukraine invasion

While US President Biden announced plans on Friday to ban Russian seafood, the European Union and United Kingdom have so far resisted such a move.

Read full story

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Friday March 11, 5.06 pm CET

United States bans imports of Russian seafood

President Biden will sign an executive order that will prohibit the import of goods from several signature sectors of Russia’s economy – including seafood, spirits/vodka, and non-industrial diamonds.

"This will deny Russia more than $1 billion (€913.1 million) in export revenues and ensure US citizens are not underwriting Putin’s war,"" said the statement.

Read full story

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Friday March 11, 2.50 am CET

Marine Stewardship Council CEO: Ukraine war could lead to loss of certification for Russian fisheries

Sanctions could prevent auditors from doing their job.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 10, 11.59 pm CET

US foodservice distribution giant Sysco 'working to eliminate' Russian products

'We are actively switching to alternative suppliers as rapidly as possible with a goal of minimizing customer disruption.' spokesperson tells IntraFish.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 10, 10.09 am CET

Domino effect: How Putin's aggressions will hike salmon farming costs

From shipping to grain to fertilizer and sanctions, costs are likely to impact the salmon industry by the second half of this year.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 10, 8.01 am CET

Ikea's suspension of Russian operations to impact 'all sub-suppliers'

The company is a substantial buyer of Aquaculture Stewardship Council certified salmon.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 10, 7.32 am CET

Processors, retailers, salmon farmers and more: Here is a list of who is stopping seafood business with Russia

Humanitarian concerns, along with a complex concoction of sanctions and stops, has forced a growing number of seafood players out of Russia's business environment.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 8.55 pm CET

Retail giant Costco stops purchasing Russian seafood

The retail giant -- which boasts $192 billion in sales across 700 locations -- sources king crab and sockeye salmon from Russian fisheries.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 6.55 pm CET

Another Chilean salmon farmer stops shipping to Russia

It's the second major salmon producer in the country to announce it is halting exports to the country in the wake of the Ukraine invasion.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 3.15 pm CET

German frozen fish processor Frosta has not made any 'specific decisions' on its trading activities with Russia

But the company is closely watching how the situation develops, executive tells IntraFish.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 2.45 pm CET

Surimi giant Viciunai suspends operations in Russia

One of the world's largest surimi suppliers has stopped sales in one of its most critical markets.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 9.01 am CET

European-wide ban on Russian vessels threatens to damage decades of fisheries cooperation

Norway has condemned Russia's invasion but finds itself on tricky ground when it comes to joining Europe's ban on Russian vessels, with monitoring and livelihoods hanging in the balance.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 8.01 am CET

Espersen to face 'significant' impacts from McDonald's Russia shutdown

The company has a sizeable market with McDonald's in the country.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 9, 6.01 am CET

Seafood sector should brace for record oil prices, analyst says

Prices could also slip back below $100 a barrel should a compromise in the Russia-Ukraine conflict be found, but as of now, it seems unlikely.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 8, 10.01 pm CET

Camanchaca halts farmed salmon exports to Russia

"Exports to Russia have been halted by logistical and financial challenges arising as a result of the Russian attack and invasion of Ukraine," Camanchaca CEO Ricardo Garcia told IntraFish.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 8, 8.38 pm CET

UK retailers rushing to drop Russian products put whitefish and salmon suppliers in jeopardy

Waitrose, Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury's: Retailers with exposure to Russian fish are taking a range of measures to step away from Russian products, and scrutinizing suppliers using Russia-sourced ingredients.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 8, 8.04 pm CET

McDonald's closing its stores in Russia

'Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,' the company's CEO said.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 8, 5.12 am CET

Putin's war brings Vietnam's pangasius exports to Russia to a grinding halt

Banking interference, shipping disruptions and 'exorbitant' prices have all but closed the important Russian market to Vietnam's seafood sector.

(Read full story)

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Monday March 7, 12.14 pm CET

Russians will go without Faroese farmed salmon for now as Mowi, Bakkafrost, Hiddenfjord not set to deliver in the short-term

Bakkafrost announced last week it would not be selling salmon to Russia. The country's other major producer Hiddenfjord, said it hasn't decided if it will send an upcoming shipment in May.

(Read full story)

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Monday March 7, 9.44 am CET

European surimi giant Viciunai making 'cardinal' changes as Ukraine crisis intensifies

The company has employees in both Russia and Ukraine.

(Read full story)

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Monday March 7, 9.06 am CET

Ukrainian salmon processing staff still 'at very high risk'; employee video shows gunfire amid protest

The company, the largest Ukranian importer of Norwegian salmon, has felt the full impacts of Russia's invasion of the country.

(Read full story)

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Monday March 7, 8.31 am CET

Air-bound seafood heading to Asia faces new challenges as Russian airspace closes

Norway flew seafood worth hundreds of millions to Asia last year. The ban will primarily affect the fresh salmon, trout and live king crab sector.

(Read full story)

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Monday March 7, 7.30 am CET

Rabobank: Ukraine invasion to bring even higher feed costs, pressuring aquaculture sector

Agricultural commodities such as soy, corn and wheat were already in a high cycle with costs spiraling up, but now the expectation is of even even more cost pressure.

(Read full story)

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Saturday March 5, 4.46 pm CET

'We needed to draw a line in the sand': BioMar halts Russia trading activities

After being approved at board level, the company will begin closing all activities immediately, evaluating commitments and goods in transit in the supply chain case-by-case.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 4.25 pm CET

Norway farmed salmon prices trading at lower levels amid Ukraine chaos

Market sources are struggling to get a clear picture of the market because of uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine and higher airfreight costs.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 4.14 pm CET

Red Lobster quietly removes pollock from its menu

The largest US seafood restaurant chain will escape Russian pollock supply dangers resulting from Putin's invasion, but the decision was based on a different set of factors.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 3.23 pm CET

Skretting salmon feed exempted from parent company's export ban to Russia

'It’s our social responsibility to support society with a continued supply of food,' the company said.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 9.29 am CET

Espersen hopes to keep Russian plant operating without interruptions amid Ukraine crisis

The biggest threat for the plant would be if there are any Russian sanctions against Western-owned companies in Russia, but there is no talk of this so far.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 9 am CET

Ukrainian workers, the backbone of Poland's seafood processing sector, returning home to fight

"Some of our colleagues have returned to Ukraine to defend their country and to fight for freedom. This we understand and support," said Thomas Farstad, CEO at one of the largest seafood companies with Poland processing facilities, Summa Equity-owned Milarex.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 8.01 am CET

'Preparing for the worst-case scenario': Russia's fishing companies facing unpaid invoices, tightening credit as sanctions bite

'It's quite possible that supply chains and payment methods, developed over the years, will stop working,' one CEO said.

(Read full story)

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Friday March 4, 4.15 am CET

Skretting, Nutreco parent company: 'No new investments, no new projects and no new exports to Russia'

The conglomerate cited the 'violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine' as the reason.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 3, 10.40 pm CET

Dozens of US seafood companies, some with Russian pollock at stake, push for sanctions

'What’s more important is that we push our government to sanction Russian fish, which will cause the United Kingdom/European Union to do so as well,' a top executive leading the effort told IntraFish.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 3, 8.17 pm CET

Russian companies banned from exhibiting at Barcelona seafood expo, trade group says

Diversified Communications, organizer of Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona, is barring Russian companies from exhibiting at the upcoming event, according to a Russia-based events and trade promotion group.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 3, 6.31 pm CET

Analysts: High Liner has enough inventory for the time being, but supply concerns loom as Ukraine crisis deepens

High Liner halted sourcing from Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine in response to the global container shipping crisis, one analyst said, and has stocks to carry it through for several months.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 3, 10.01 am CET

Marine insurers drop automatic war coverage, further complicating shipping sector

The development adds another potential cost complication for companies shipping seafood after leading shipping lines suspended routes to and from Russia.

(Read full story)

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Thursday March 3, 8.17 am CET

Coast Seafood forced to stop Ukraine exports as 'ravages of war' make processing impossible

Its main buyer, Universal Fish Company, has had to abandon its factories because of Russian attacks.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 2, 7.17 pm CET

Is Russia in jeopardy of losing its MSC certifications for pollock and other fisheries?

The fate of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifications of several Russian fisheries remains unknown as nations, companies and other organizations invoke sanctions against the country for its invasion of Ukraine.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 2, 3.51 pm CET

Royal Greenland the latest company to stop trading with Russia

The decision will negatively impact both Royal Greenland and its Russian joint venture partner Agama Royal Greenland, but top executive 'supports the decision 100%.'

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 2, 9.00 am CET

Danish processing giant Espersen draws up contingency plans for any potential sanctions

At the moment any trade bans on seafood arising from Russia’s war on Ukraine are speculation, but ‘we have to be prepared as best we can,’ says Klaus Nielsen, the top executive at Denmark-based Espersen.

(Read full story)

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Wednesday March 2, 8.01 am CET

This Danish aquaculture feed company offered to relocate its Ukrainian workers. They decided to stay and fight.

Denmark-based feed company Aller Aqua offered its Ukrainian workers the chance to evacuate to its Polish facility, out of the path of Russia's invasion, but they turned down the offer, deciding instead to stay and defend their country.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 11.52 pm CET

Alaska pollock producers wary of supply gap from Russia sanctions

While this year's "A" season fishing is shaping up to be better than last year's, Alaska pollock producers may find it challenging to fill a growing global inventory gap being created as more European countries and companies cut ties with Russia over that country's invasion of Ukraine.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 8.35 pm CET

'Daunting' challenges as Canadian group cancels Russian cod imports

Canada's Icewater Seafoods has cancelled imports of cod from Russia, its main supplier, following the invasion of Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin's armed forces.

The Newfoundland-based company has also cancelled the last shipment, ordered in the week before the invasion began on Feb. 24, the company said Tuesday after informing customers in Europe and North America.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 7.14 pm CET

Vice tightens on US retail brands, fast food chains

Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week has led to swift global backlash and a range of economic sanctions against the country and its leaders.

There is growing concern sanctions could extend to cover the nation's seafood exports, a move that would have a jarring effect on pollock and other whitefish supply chains.

The rhetoric puts several key companies under the spotlight, including most notably Conagra-owned Mrs. Paul's and Van de Kamp's, two of the largest retail brands of frozen, breaded whitefish fillets and fish sticks in the United States.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 6.28 pm CET

UK seafood giant 'reviewing' Russian supply chain

Young’s Seafood, the United Kingdom’s largest seafood processor, is reviewing its supply chain in light of Russia's war in Ukraine, a spokesperson told IntraFish.

The processor currently purchases some fish caught by Russian vessels in the Barents Sea and Northwest Pacific.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 4:49 pm CET

UK frozen firm sending Ukraine food convoy

UK-based frozen foods firm Oakland International said it is prepared to fund up to 50 trucks and drivers to take essential chilled, frozen and ambient food items to the Eastern border of Poland and possibly into Ukraine if they can get through.

The company, which is calling for frozen food donations, plans to dispatch all 50 trucks between Wednesday and Friday this week.

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Tuesday March 1, 3.41 CET

Shipping giants stops Russia bookings

Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk is temporarily halting all bookings to and from Russia as western sanctions tighten on the country.

The group said all container shipping will stop following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has attracted global condemnation.

The move follows similar decisions by Japanese-controlled Ocean Network Express (ONE), Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and Switzerland’s Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC).

Read full story

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Tuesday March 1, 11 am CET

Ukraine's largest salmon processor forced out of factories

One of the largest Eastern European fish processing plants and a major reprocessor of Norwegian salmon has been temporarily forced out of its two facilities, one of which was nearby the first bombing raids on Kyiv on Feb. 24, and another that is located in what is now Russian-occupied territory.

The company's suppliers include Leroy, Mowi, Coast Seafood and Nordic Seafood.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 5.13am CET

Boycotts present double-edged sword

A Norwegian boycott of Russian goods could affect the import and export of tens of thousands of metric tons of fish from Russian trawlers, impacting the trade flow of key whitefish such as cod and haddock.

(Read full story)

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Tuesday March 1, 1.18am CET

US lawmakers sponsor bill to kick Russia out of WTO

US lawmakers are putting forward legislation aimed at denying Russia access to World Trade Organization (WTO) membership following its invasion of Ukraine.

If passed, the bill would remove 'most favored nation' trade treatment for Russian imports.

(Read full story)

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Monday Feb. 28, 9.53pm CET

Ecuador shrimp producer turns around exports en route to Russia

The company, one of Ecuador's largest suppliers, cites the actions of Putin's government causing suffering to the Ukrainian people, as well as economic and commercial reasons and urges "everyone" to reject Putin's actions.

(Read full story)

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Monday Feb. 28, 10.23pm CET

Bakkafrost stops selling to Russia

Faroese salmon farmer Bakkafrost stopped selling salmon to customers in Russia as of last Thursday, after the country's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

In 2021, around 10 percent of the company's salmon sales went to the Russian market, Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen told IntraFish.

(Read full story)

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Monday, Feb. 28, 1.19pm CET

Aquaculture expert stays to fight

Lubomir Haidamaka, chief technology officer at Vismar Aqua, contacted IntraFish to tell us his children have been evacuated and he is staying to fight in Ukraine.

The company had been working on the biggest catfish farm in the country as well as smaller trout and tilapia operations.

"We stand united. We will win!" he said.

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Monday, Feb. 28, 10.10 am CET

Russian fishery site down

A group of hackers operating under the name "Anonymous" is taking credit for several cyber incidents across Russia's government websites, including that of the federal ministry of fisheries.

The group, which has tweeted from several accounts since Thursday, said it would be targeting Putin's government after his unprovoked attack on neighboring Ukraine.

(Read full story)

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Monday, Feb. 28, 10:01am CET

‘Shipping will be in crosshairs’

As the West looks to cripple Russia’s economy in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, shipping appears to be in regulators’ sights once more, adding to the list of potential challenges for seafood companies moving products in and out of the country.

(Read full story)

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Monday, Feb. 28, 09:00 CET

SalMar, Pelagia reeling from Ukraine crisis

Norwegian seafood companies are already facing difficulties caused by the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, including Norwegian salmon farming giant SalMar and Austevoll Seafood joint venture Pelagia.

SalMar, one of Norway's largest salmon farming companies, had fish cargo on its way to the country, but the shipments were turned around just prior to Russia launching its invasion.

"We took action in advance and sent the trucks to other markets before they reached the border," CEO and owner Gustav Witzoe told IntraFish sister publication DN.

(Read full story)

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Monday, Feb. 28, 7.35 am CET

Rouble plummets 30% as market opens

The Russian rouble crashed by almost a third to an all-time low against the dollar as markets opened for trading Monday.

The rouble dropped to as low as 119 per dollar, from its closing price of 83.64 on Friday.

Global sanctions against the country for its invasion of Ukraine include blocking some Russian banks from the Swift international payments system, leading investors to anticipate a run on the Russian currency as people try to change their money for dollars and other denominations, reported The Guardian.

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Monday, Feb. 28, 4.42am CET

Uncertainty in China

As a huge processor of Russian-origin seafood, particularly whitefish, the Chinese processing industry in Qingdao and Dalian is waiting anxiously to see the outcome of sanctions.

One Qingdao company told IntraFish it was keeping a very close eye on the situation, but was yet to ascertain how or when it would be impacted.

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Friday, Feb. 25, 16:30 CET

Russian whitefish giant says business-as-usual on fishing side

Russia's largest fishing company says that while it's "difficult to predict" the fallout from the Ukrainian invasion, the harvesting of its key species -- most notably cod, haddock and pollock -- is expected to continue as normal.

Norebo spokesperson Sergei Sennikov told IntraFish the company "must adapt our activity to the conditions...(Read full story)

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Friday, Feb. 25, 12:20 CET

Chile salmon exporters eye alternative markets to Russia

Chilean farmed salmon producers are weighing alternatives to the Russian market following the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. by Vladimir Putin's armed forces.

The South American nation's salmon firms shipped 50,689 metric tons gross weight of fish to Russia in 2021, making it Chile's fourth-largest market.

"Producers are attentive to how the situation between Russia and Ukraine evolves...(Read the full story here)

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Friday, Feb. 25, 10:10 CET

Energy prices rocket

Energy prices were sharply higher in early trading Thursday, with Brent crude up over $5 (€4.45) to $102, breaking three figures for the first time since 2014.

Meanwhile, trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange was halted on Thursday morning because the ruble and share prices fell below the exchange’s pre-determined limitations.

On Wednesday, the ruble had fallen further against the dollar, reaching its lowest level since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.

According to options pricing, the currency is expected to fall to a “historic low” against the dollar in the next two months.

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Friday, Feb. 25, 10:02 CET

At risk: Millions of dollars worth of salmon smolts

Norway has been facilitating Russia's fast-growing aquaculture sector by selling large volumes of salmon smolt to the nation.

Over the last seven years, Norway has sold NOK 843 million (€83.6 million/$93 million) worth of smolt to Russia, despite that country's ban on...(Read full story)

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Friday, Feb. 25, 7:00 CET

Top lines divert ships and cargoes as Ukraine crisis hits container shipping

Two large shipping companies have taken "contingency measures" to divert ships from dangers in the embattled region.

Liner giants Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) have suspended services to the Ukraine as Russian troops began a full-scale invasion of the country.

The liners have begun implementing contingency...(Read full story)

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Thursday, Feb. 24, 8:25 CET

Russia sanctions would have ‘major disruptive’ consequences for EU pollock, cod market

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is now in full swing and Western countries are beginning to follow through with their threats of placing damaging sanctions on the country in response.

Specific details of all these sanctions are not clear yet, but what is clear is they will not be good for trade in the short term, particularly whitefish in Europe, of which Russia is a major...(Read full story)

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Thursday, Feb. 24, 4:35 CET

Nomad prepared to switch to alternate fish supplies in event of sanctions

Nomad Foods, the parent of Birds Eye, Iglo and Findus frozen fish brands in Europe, said it is prepared to switch to alternative wild-caught and farmed species should the war now raging in Ukraine impact the company's supply chains.

The company said during its fourth quarter earnings that it has been preparing for the...(Read full story)

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Thursday, Feb. 15

Sanction threats by US Senators now seem more real

A week prior to Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, two key Senators introduced legislation in response to Russia’s own prohibition on the importation of US and other western seafood products since 2014.

Alaska Republican Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski introduced the US-Russian Federation Seafood Reciprocity Act this week, with an aim to...(Read full story).