FAS sent a report to the President of Russia on the measures aimed to restrict growing prices for fish

FAS believes that aquatic culture (fish-breeding) and alternative methods of fish trading should be developed in Russia

FAS, jointly with the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture drafted a report upon instructions from the President of Russia on the measures to limit growth of prices for fish products.

According to FAS, there are most efficient measures to combat growing fish prices, including development of aquatic culture (fish-breeding) in Russia.

Nowadays most products on the fish market are supplied through fishing. Only 0.2% of the total quantity of fish harvested in the Far East falls on aquatic culture (fish-breeding). At the same time, in the world its share reaches 46.6% of the total fish products.

Head of FAS Igor Artemiev commented: “The scope of allowed fish harvesting in Russia is limited, leading to shortage of supply on the market and overrated prices. Developing aquatic culture coupled with fishing products should increase the overall fish supply, which, as a consequence, should reduce prices”.

To develop aquatic culture, the Ministry of Agriculture proposes to improve the mechanism of granting fish-breeding plots for use: give such plots without tenders to those businesses that already have fish-breeding plots in use. FAS supported the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and proposed to extrapolate it, in particular, to coastal fishing.

In the opinion of the antimonopoly authority, another efficient measure designed to limit the growth of fish prices is developing alternative methods of fish product trading (specialized local trade facilities, fairs, etc.).

“It will reduce the chain between goods producers and end consumers, optimize and cut down logistical costs and intensify competition on the fish retail market that will ultimately reduce fish prices”, explains Igor Artemiev.