June 5, 2007

Russia bans fish imports from Chile

Russia is banning fish imports from Chile with effect from next month, adding it to a list of countries already facing bans from Russia.

Amongst these countries are Vietnam, Japan, China, Uruguay, Argentina and South Korea.

Other than Norway, Chile is Russia's only other supplier of salmon to Russia.

Importers have long prepared for the ban. April imports of fish have doubled from US$65.8 million to US$131.2 million.

Price increases caused by a shortage would thus only be felt in a few months.

Russia first started its fish ban in May this year, with fish from Vietnam the first to be banned. However, the ban only extends to companies not previously certified by Russian authorities.

Chief purchasing manager at OOO Orgkhimtekhnologia Tatyana Kuzmina said the bans cover more than half of all table fish and seafood and 80 percent of all fish filets.

Russia imported 980,000 tonnes of fish and fish products last year worth US$1.1 billion.