Russia Herbs, Spices & Seasonings insights

Over the past 4 months of the current year, Russia has more than tripled its molasses exports both in monetary and in more than twofold in physical terms. Sugarbeet pulp exports have also increased, albeit not as significantly.

This new factory is the fourth onshore processing plant built by the company under the state-supported investment quota program. Gidrostroy reports that the new factory will have a construction area of 10,000 square meters, capable of processing 600 tons of fish daily, with a freezing capacity of 325 tons/day and a cold storage capacity of 3,000 tons. Gidrostroy's General Director Yuri Svetlikov stated: "We have purchased the most advanced equipment for the new production line. Three packaging machines have already been tested at our existing enterprises. The new equipment and packaging technology will extend the shelf life of our finished products to two years." In addition to fish fillet production, the new factory will also use processing waste to produce fish meal and fish oil, and plans to produce caviar from pollock, cod, herring, and pink and red trout. The factory is expected to employ approximately 250 workers. Gidrostroy is Russia's second-largest pollock producer, behind the Russian Fishery Company. The company holds a total of around 330,000 tons of pollock fishing quotas, including 290,000 tons of pollock quotas. The company also completed two pollock processing plants in the Kuril Islands this year, focusing on fish fillet and pollock minced meat production, with a total investment of 3.2 billion rubles (approximately $40 million). Additionally, Gidrostroy established a distant-water processing plant on Shikotan Island in the Kuril chain in 2020, becoming the first Russian factory with a daily processing capacity of 100 tons of fish mince. The construction of this new factory in Ozersoye village on Sakhalin Island's southern coast marks Gidrostroy's continued expansion of processing capabilities, further consolidating its position in the global pollock production market. Through continuous investment, Gidrostroy is driving Russia to become a significant player in the global pollock industry. The new factory's construction will not only increase processing volume but also produce more value-added products, further enhancing the company's competitiveness in the international market.

The European Parliament approved, on Thursday, a proposal from the Commission to increase customs duties by 50% on agricultural products imported from Russia and Belarus that are not yet subject to additional customs duties. The measure aims to reduce the EU's dependence on these countries, in the context of the war in Ukraine and imposed sanctions. Among the affected products are sugar, vinegar, flour, and feed. In addition, a new 6.5% tariff is established on fertilizers from both countries, accompanied by additional fees of 40 to 45 euros per ton for the 2025-2026 period. These will progressively increase until reaching 430 euros per ton in 2028. According to the approved text, revenues from these fertilizer exports directly contribute to financing the armed conflict by Russia. The new measures will apply not only to products directly originating from Russia or Belarus, but also to those exported indirectly. It is expected that the entry into force of these duties will increase ...