Russia: Why fish has overtaken meat in terms of cost, even in marine regions

The article highlights the rising fish prices across Russia, with significant increases in regions like St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, and Astrakhan due to factors such as fleet maintenance and fuel costs. Despite these challenges, some affordable fish options like blue whiting and herring remain. The article suggests that government support, similar to measures in the Far East, could help stabilize prices in other regions. Additionally, experts emphasize the need to boost fish consumption nationwide by developing the domestic market and creating new products, with collaboration between producers, the state, and society being crucial.

Prices are high even for budget types. For example, in St. Petersburg stores of the federal retail chain, frozen pollock fillet from the Far East will cost 450 rubles per kilo, and chilled Murmansk cod - 750. Fish "know" is even more expensive: salmon fillet from the Arctic costs 3,140 rubles. Smoked Kamchatka fish is sold at the fairs of the Northern capital for 3,200-3,600 "re". But the catch still has to get to the capitals. And what about closer to the catch sites? In the Arkhangelsk region, judging by research, a third of the population eats fish every day or once or twice a week. In the everyday diet - these are "native" cod, haddock, halibut, perch, flounder, and on holidays - salmon. Nevertheless, prices in Pomorye are growing, as everywhere else. "What do you want? This is wild fish that needs to be caught. Companies can now get good fishing quotas only if they build a fleet, and the cost of maintaining vessels is also included in the price of each kilogram. Fuel is ...