Russia bans import of seafood products from "unfriendly" countries

The Russian government has banned imports of seafood products from “unfriendly” countries, including those in the European Union (EU), according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.

“A ban on the importation into the Russian Federation of fish and shellfish products from unfriendly countries is introduced,” the note states.

According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the rejection of imports from the EU, the United States and Norway “will free up certain niches” of the Russian local market that will be occupied by domestic producers.

In this way, Russian companies “will have the opportunity to increase production volumes, expand the range (of products) and increase the number of jobs,” the statement said.

The Russian government adopted on March 8, 2022 a list of “unfriendly” countries and territories, which includes the US and Canada, all EU member states, the UK, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, North Macedonia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Micronesia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan.