Fish consumption in Russia saw a modest 2% increase in 2023, with urban single-person households being the most frequent consumers. Various factors influence this trend, including proximity to fishing areas, traditional dietary habits, and logistical capabilities.
Key Insights:
Share in the Food Basket: By the end of 2023, fish accounted for 2.1% of the average Russian food basket.
Per Capita Consumption: The average Russian consumed 22.5 kg of fish annually, a 2% rise compared to 2022. However, this growth lags behind other food categories, such as potatoes (+5%) and meat (+4%). Fish consumption outpaced dairy (-1%), eggs (-1%), sugar (-4%), and vegetable oil (-5%).
Regional Variations: The highest fish consumption rates were in the Far Eastern Federal District (25.9 kg per person) and the Central Federal District (24.6 kg per person). The Far East benefits from its proximity to major fishing zones, while the Central region boasts efficient logistics and storage infrastructure, facilitating higher fish availability.
Convenience Products on the Rise: The consumption of semi-finished and ready-to-eat fish products grew by 14% in 2023, reflecting a broader shift towards convenience foods. However, such products still make up a small fraction (0.7 kg per year) of total fish consumption.
Household Size Impact: Single-person households had the highest per capita fish consumption, averaging 39.9 kg per year. In contrast, consumption decreases with larger households: two-person households consumed 27 kg per year, while four-person households consumed only 16.8 kg per person.
Historical Trends: Fish consumption has fluctuated over the years, growing from 21.2 kg per person in 2010 to a peak of 22.3 kg in 2013–2014, before declining slightly to 21.9 kg in 2022.
Urban vs Rural: Rural residents consumed slightly more fish (22 kg per person) compared to their urban counterparts (21.7 kg per person), indicating a subtle preference difference between city and rural populations.
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Share in the Food Basket: By the end of 2023, fish accounted for 2.1% of the average Russian food basket.
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