EU bans Russian cod imports, fisheries sanctions
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- EU proposed a ban on Russian cod imports as part of a new sanctions package announced on 9 June 2026.
- Ursula von der Leyen said the ban targets “one of the last major unsanctioned sectors: fisheries” and will also align trade restrictions for Belarus to prevent backdoor trade.
- EU imported €709 million ($819 million) of Russian fish in 2024, mainly to the Netherlands, Germany, France and Poland.
- Russia increased overall fish shipments to the EU by 5% in volume and value from Jan–Nov 2025, reaching 198,000 tonnes worth $784 million (TASS).
- Pollock fillets drove the growth, rising 40% in volume and 50% in value to 116,000 tonnes valued at $325 million.
- Frozen cod exports from Russia to the EU fell 45% in volume and 15% in value to 24,000 tonnes worth $160 million.
- Frozen haddock fillets declined 50% in volume and 25% in value to 900 tonnes worth $6.5 million.
Why it matters: The cod ban will slash a $160 million revenue stream for Russia's fishing sector, while EU consumers lose a low‑cost protein source; Russia's fish trade is shifting toward pollock, reshaping market dynamics and forcing Belarus to be monitored as a potential backdoor.
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