The IX International Fishery Forum and Exhibition of Fishing Industry, Seafood, and Technologies (Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia 2026) is taking place in St. Petersburg. Svetlana Panfilova, Deputy Governor and Minister of Arctic Development and Economy of the Murmansk Region, is participating in the forum's business program.

Along with representatives of federal agencies, industry associations, and international companies, Panfilova participated in the roundtable discussion "BRICS Fish Routes. Potential for Russian Exports to BRICS Countries." Experts discussed current and target indicators for fishery exports, barriers in foreign markets, the development of electronic certification, and the prospects for alternative certification systems for BRICS countries.

In her report, Panfilova emphasized the strategic importance of the fishing industry for the region's economy.

"For our region, the fishing industry is not just an economic force; it is a historical foundation," she noted. "The Murmansk Region maintains its status as the largest fishing center in the Russian Federation, accounting for one in eleven tonnes of fish harvested in the country. The region is a leader in Kamchatka crab production in the Barents Sea and is among the main regions for northern shrimp production," noted Svetlana Panfilova.

Exports from the Kola Arctic demonstrate steady growth in shipments to BRICS countries. While in 2022, exports accounted for less than 10%, by the end of 2025, they reached 26%, and in the first eight months of 2026, they already accounted for approximately 40% of the Murmansk Region's total fishery exports. The Asian crab export market continues to actively develop. In 2025, the share of this product exported to BRICS countries was 35%; in 2026, crustacean shipment volumes will remain at a comparable level.

China is a key partner: by 2025, it will account for 25% of the region's total fishery exports (primarily frozen fish and crustaceans).

However, entering foreign markets, including BRICS countries, is fraught with several barriers. Svetlana Panfilova cited legislative restrictions, including a ban on exports of products produced at onshore factories from coastal catches, as key challenges. The high cost of marine diesel fuel in remote fishing areas, which significantly increases production costs, also complicates the work of companies in the industry. Another obstacle is the permitting requirements for exports to China. Currently, it takes between two weeks and a month to complete a full range of laboratory tests, which complicates logistics, increases costs, and increases the risk of product spoilage.

The region is systematically working to create favorable conditions for polar companies to enter BRICS markets. The Murmansk Region Export Support Center provides targeted assistance to SMEs, from finding and verifying contractors to co-financing certification and organizing business missions. Many services are provided as part of the national project "International Cooperation and Export." The Territorial Fisheries Council

serves as a platform for direct dialogue between government and business, where issues related to administrative barriers, fleet basing, and logistics are promptly resolved. With the active participation of council members and the council's chairman, Murmansk Region Governor Andrey Chibis, a number of regional initiatives aimed at developing the fisheries industry have already been approved at the federal level.

As part of the forum, Svetlana Panfilova also visited the Murmansk Region's collective stand at the fishing industry, seafood, and technology exhibition. The stand, prepared by the regional Export Support Center, showcased the products of seven polar small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the fishing industry.

/Ministry of Arctic Development and Eco-Economy of the Murmansk Region/