Russian fish supplies to the European Union almost doubled in June 2026, expanding 1.7 times to reach a value of 74.9 million euros.
The monthly trade volume represents the highest figure recorded since November 2024, according to European statistical agency Eurostat data analyzed by news outlet RIA Novosti.
On an annual basis, the financial value of fish shipments delivered from Russia to European Union member states in June increased by 22 percent compared to the same month in the prior year.
Germany and France Lead Seafood Purchases
Germany was the largest buyer of Russian fish among European Union nations in June, accounting for 42.3 million euros of the overall total. France took the second position, importing 14.4 million euros worth of seafood products during the month.
The Netherlands imported 8.4 million euros in Russian fish shipments, followed by Poland with 4.4 million euros. Denmark completed the list of top European buyers, purchasing 2.6 million euros worth of seafood in June.
Eurostat is the official statistical office of the European Union, tasked with monitoring international trade and compiling economic data across member countries. The primary importing nations in June host substantial seafood processing facilities, logistics centers, and consumer markets that rely on imported whitefish supplies.
Frozen Fillets Drive Export Gains
The vast majority of the June exports consisted of fish fillets and fish meat, which together generated 60.6 million euros in revenue. The recorded shipments were predominantly comprised of frozen pollock fillet and frozen cod fillet products.
Alaska pollock and Atlantic cod are two of the most widely consumed commercial whitefish species in Europe. Both varieties are heavily utilized by industrial food processors for frozen products such as fish fingers, breaded fillets, and prepackaged meals distributed across European supermarket chains.
Despite the notable surge in June trade, overall European fish imports from Russia registered a modest contraction during the first six months of 2026. Total imports for the first half of the year fell by 8 percent to 352.2 million euros.
Growth in Russian Energy Deliveries
The growth in seafood trade comes alongside an increase in European purchases of Russian natural gas. Pipeline gas imports to the European Union through the TurkStream route rose to their highest level since March 2026, when monthly volumes reached 661.8 million cubic metres.
TurkStream is an undersea natural gas pipeline spanning the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey, constructed to deliver Russian natural gas directly to southern and southeastern European markets.
