On September 16, St. Petersburg hosted a round table titled «Continuous Cold Chain: International Logistics of Fish Products» as part of the IX International Fishing Forum and Exhibition of the Fishing Industry, Seafood and Technology (Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia 2026).
The event focused on key challenges and prospects of fish product logistics, quality preservation at all supply chain stages, and current trends in the global trade of fish and seafood.
The round table was organized by the International Coordinating Council on Trans-Eurasian Transportation (CCTT), the Association of Fish Processing and Trade Enterprises of Russia (ARDPS), and Expo Solutions Group. The discussion was moderated by Natalia Stepanova, Deputy Secretary General of the CCTT, and Mikhail Sinev, President of the Association of Food Sector Organizations (ASORPS).
Leading industry experts took part in the discussion:
•    Andrey Grechkin, General Director of Dalrefttrans LLC (FESCO transport group);
•    Sun Shifei, Deputy Head of the Dalian Free Trade Zone Administration;
•    Tatyana Antipyeva, Head of the Fish Products Division, Vladivostok Sea Fishing Port JSC;
•    Alexey Dolmatov, Director of Partner and Supplier Relations, MOSTEC LLC;
•    Natalia Shchepova, Deputy General Director for Logistics, ANTEY Group;
•    Evgeny Meshcheryakov, professional chef and food production technologist, founder of Dary Rusi, known for restaurant projects such as Zhivago, Beluga, Umioysters, More na Patrikakh, and others.
During the discussion, the experts identified the following key trends in the global trade of fish and seafood:
•    Growth of aquaculture. Aquaculture is outpacing traditional wild catch: according to 2025 data, it accounts for approximately 55% of all fish intended for human consumption (including seaweed).
•    Price dynamics. Fish prices are rising, driven by inflation, higher logistics costs, and reduced catch quotas — particularly for cod and salmon.
•    China as a processing hub. China actively imports raw materials (including pollock and cod), processes them, and re-exports finished products, serving as a key hub in the global supply chain.
•    Reorientation of export flows. Under sanctions pressure, Russia is shifting its export focus from EU and US markets to new destinations: China, India, Brazil, Egypt, and the UAE.
•    Logistics risks. Transport chokepoints — the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, and the Strait of Hormuz — have an indirect yet significant impact on the fish trade, contributing to higher freight rates.
•    Sustainable development and quality standards. Demand for certified products (MSC, ASC standards) is growing, and retailers are increasingly imposing environmental standards requirements.
•    Impact of climate change. Climate change is affecting the migration of fish schools, catch volumes, and pricing — particularly noticeable in the case of salmon, cod, and tuna.
Participants agreed that maintaining the integrity of the continuous cold chain is one of the most important factors in preserving the quality of fish products during international transport. Special attention was given to the integration of transport and logistics solutions, infrastructure development, and the harmonization of standards across countries.
Following the event, the parties emphasized the need for continued dialogue between government, business, and industry associations to build a sustainable and efficient system for supplying fish products to both domestic and international markets.