The Business Program for Day 1 of the VI Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia, which started in St. Petersburg on 27 September 2023, began with the central plenary session ‘Fishery in a Multipolar World’.
“Every year, we look at the fishery industry through the lens of changes on the global market and international relations. Rapid changes in market conditions prompt us to develop new tactics and strategies for the Russian fishery industry and to seek new ways,” session moderator Ilya Shestakov, Head of Federal Agency for Fisheries, opened the discussion.
He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic kick-started a restructuring of global trade ties with every country being compelled to make decisions independently in order to preserve their national economies and protect their people. “However, despite the restrictions introduced in the global fishery industry, we have always been able to find mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial solutions,” Ilya Shestakov emphasized.
Dmitry Patrushev, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Sergey Mitin, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Agricultural and Food Policy and Environmental Management, Vladimir Solodov, Governor of Kamchatka Territory, Mr. Zhang Xianliang, President of China Overseas Fisheries Association, and Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Deputy Minister – Head of the Fisheries Organization, Ministry of Agricultural Jihad (Development) of the Islamic Republic of Iran, spoke at the session.
The experts debated aspects of sustainable development of the fishery industry and its integration into the current multipolar system of economic relations.
“Despite all the restrictions, the Russian fishery industry remains the biggest player on the global market. Our country has been and remains one of the top five leaders in fishery. In spite of all the challenges the country and its fishery industry have faced, we can still guarantee a fairly stable volume of capture and manufacture of fish products,” Dmitry Patrushev said.
Aquatic bioresource production amounted to 4.9 million tonnes in 2022. Russian fishermen have increased their catch volume by 11.5% since the start of 2023, and total capture already exceeds 4 million tonnes. The salmon fishing season is continuing at the moment, also yielding almost 2.5 times more fish than last year (over 590 thousand tonnes captured). The total production of aquatic biological resources is expected to exceed 5 million tonnes by year-end. The Minister of Agriculture said that Russia continues to swivel toward friendly countries, increase exports and open up new markets to trade with. Despite all the restrictions, Russia supplies its fish to 80 countries (compared to 60 in 2022 and 58 in 2021).
“We see many opportunities for cooperation with friendly countries in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. I hope we will be able to strengthen or even renew our trade ties on the sidelines of this forum,” Dmitry Patrushev said.
He proposed a discussion at the forum of additional steps to increase exports of Russian fish products. “We are ready to consider all these measures and offer appropriate assistance. Let’s work together – our exports are expanding against all odds,” he noted. At the same time, Dmitry Patrushev remarked that the domestic market would always be the priority.
Irina Zhachkina, First Deputy Chairman of the Board at Russian Agricultural Bank, stressed that investment in the fishery industry had almost quadrupled in the past five years versus the previous ‘five-year plan’.
“Less than RUB 100 billion were invested from 2013 to 2017 yet, over the past five years (from 2018 to 2022), investments totalled more than RUB 350 billion. The fishery complex is a leader in the economy in terms of investment growth and reduction of wear and tear in the sector. The investment growth rate was 10% even in the first half of this year, which is higher than average for the economy in general. Let me remind you that the overall investment growth rate in our economy is 7.2%,” Irina Zhachkina stated.
Regarding international payments, Russian Agricultural Bank currently allows payments through China in yuan. Fishermen can also secure loans in the Chinese currency.
Sergey Mitin spoke about the situation in Russia's shipbuilding sector.
Answering a question from the Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries, he mentioned that a relevant committee monitors how shipyards perform fleet construction orders from fishermen and tries its best to handle any problems that arise in connection with sanctions. One of the committee’s primary tasks is to supply projects with ship components made in Russia.
Those present also highlighted the issue of building up the ship maintenance and logistics infrastructure.
Ilya Shestakov pointed out that a fundamental turn ‘eastwards’ and a pivot toward new destinations is currently under way amid the strengthening role of Far East regions. For instance, Kamchatka is becoming a key hub for development of the Northern Sea Route to handle more than just shipments within Russia. Moreover, the region will help reduce the burden on the ports of Primorsky Territory.
Vladimir Solodov highlighted that Kamchatka, which is the country’s fish production leader, needs development of capacities to allow transshipment and processing as close as possible to fishing sites. “We have already done a lot. There has been a major retrofitting – modernization of both port facilities and fish processing plants. More than RUB 100 billion have been invested in Kamchatka Territory alone,” he said.
At the moment, the new factories built in Kamchatka rank among the best in the world: they enable 100% processing of fish waste and maintenance of product quality for the end customer, while enabling manufacturers to offer a wide range of products. The governor shared his perspective on the measures designed to promote Russian fish products and increase their consumption.
The President of China Overseas Fisheries Association spoke about the fleet’s service outside national waters, ensurance of safe seafood supplies to the country’s market, the fight against IUU fishing practices, and the balance of trade in fishery products.
Mr. Zhang Xianliang emphasized that the organization “stands for a fair and reasonable market environment, for legal imports and exports, and against actions that damage the market.”
The Iranian representative commented on his country’s development in the face of external restrictions, including those applying to fishery, as well as on Iran's experience in aquaculture.
Mr. Seyed Hossein Hosseini reminded his audience that Iran has been under sanctions for more than 40 years and that the fishery industries of Russia and Iran are united by the Caspian Sea and friendly relations.
“Instead of lifting sanctions, try to neutralize them. We have been following this strategy, relying on technological and scientific experience, and our in-house manufacturing capabilities,” he said, adding that, over these years, aquaculture production in Iran has grown by more than 41 times to 751 thousand tonnes.
“Russia remains a dependable business partner. We are happy to take this opportunity to exchange opinions, knowledge and experience,” the Iranian representative stressed.
In conclusion, Ilya Shestakov expressed confidence that any new emerging challenges can be addressed despite the situation in the world.
“At first, we had competition. When the West realized they were losing this competition, they started imposing sanctions. But, given that we live in a multipolar world and cooperate with many countries in the fishery business, I am sure we will adapt to these challenges,” the Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries concluded.