With the 2026 Alaska pollock fishing season in the Sea of Okhotsk now fully underway, Russian Alaska pollock prices have entered their typical seasonal decline. Although prices dropped week-over-week, the overall level remains among the highest seen in the past decade, signaling that global demand for whitefish continues to be strong.
Early January: Prices Ease but Stay Historically High
In the first week of January, 25+ Russian frozen Alaska pollock (H&G) FOB/CFR China fell by about $85 per ton from the previous week.
At the end of 2025, tight supply and limited inventories pushed pollock prices close to historic highs. As Russian vessels return to the Okhotsk fishing grounds and supply begins to normalize, prices are now undergoing a rational seasonal correction.
Russian fishing companies report that vessels have completed post-holiday preparations and are gradually resuming full operations. Some exporters expect shipments to restart in mid-January, aligning with renewed Chinese processor demand ahead of post–Spring Festival production.
Traders expect moderate short-term fluctuations, but they believe prices will remain within a relatively high and stable range.
Russia’s 2026 Pollock TAC Rises 1.7%
According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock is 2.42 million tons, up 1.7% from the revised 2025 quota.
Key allocations include:
- Sea of Okhotsk pollock: 1.1 million tons
- Pacific herring (Northern Okhotsk & Western Kamchatka): 426,200 tons
- Pacific pollock (other subzones): 21,800 tons
Authorities say current quotas match operational capacity, and total catches are expected to remain around 2 million tons.
2025 Russian Wild-Catch Summary: Total Output Falls Despite Strong Pollock
Rosrybolovstvo reports Russia’s 2025 wild catch at 4.6 million tons, down 5.6% year-on-year.
Breakdown:
- Far East region: 3.57 million tons
- Northern grounds: 313,000 tons
- Western grounds: 77,100 tons
- EEZ & international waters: 502,700 tons (up 4,900 tons)
Despite declines in overall landings, pollock production hit 2.15 million tons, up 8.7% year-on-year.
Pacific herring rose nearly 30% to 575,400 tons, and Pacific cod increased 7.5% to 114,500 tons.
Domestic Whitefish Prices in Russia: Mixed Movement
By the end of 2025:
- Pollock (Far East): 143 RUB/kg, +3.6% YoY
- Pacific herring: 105 RUB/kg, –30% YoY
- Pacific cod: 405 RUB/kg, +15.7% YoY
- Atlantic cod (North): 490 RUB/kg, –8.4% YoY
Overall, mid-to-upper-tier species softened, while key whitefish species—especially pollock and cod—remained firm.
Outlook: Seasonal Softening Continues but High-Price Trend Holds
Industry insiders view the current decline in Russian Alaska pollock prices as a normal A-season adjustment.
As early-season production increases, prices may ease further, but the market is expected to remain firm within a historically high range due to strong global demand.
Russian pollock remains one of the most important raw materials for China’s processing sector and Europe’s whitefish market, meaning price stability in Russia continues to shape global supply chains.
