Speaking at a seminar organized by the Russian Fish Union in Oslo yesterday, union leaders categorically rebuffed speculations about an alleged link between the detention of Russian trawlers in the Spitsbergen waters and the expulsion from the Russian market of Norwegian fish exporters.
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-There is no such link and no such political motivations, Yuri Alasheev told BarentsObserver.
Trade cartels
Alasheev did however indicate other reasons for the import restrictions. He refused to use the word “cartels” but admitted that there are several shortcomings in the current Russian import system.
-We do not like the system which has evolved, he underlined.
Since 2006, a few Russian companies have controlled the lucrative import of Norwegian fish products. Critics say that these companies nurse close relations with Russian veterinary authorities and that exporters which seek cooperation with alternative importers are met with sanctions from the vets and subsequent export bans.
Over the last years, a number of Norwegian exporters have lost their access licenses to the Russian market, allegedly because their products have failed to meet quality standards. Last month, another three Norwegian companies were told that they will no longer be allowed to sell their products on the Russian market.
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Yuri Alasheev himself confirms that the Russian Anti-Monopoly Service is currently about to start investigations of the situation in the Russian fish import sector, based on reports about irregularities filed by a Russian company.
New union
Alasheev, leader of the Agama Group and President of the Union of Seafood Processors in late October joined forces with the Fish Union and its leader Sergei Gudkov. The two unions will now unite in a new structure which includes 22 companies. According to the two leaders of the union, the new structure has the full support from the Russian government and will work for enhanced transparency, competition and professionalism in the sector.
Among the proposals of the new union is the introduction of a system of electronic veterinary certificates, an initiative which is meant to improve both efficiency and transparency.
With their initiative, the Gudkov and Alasheev could challenge the current state of affairs in Russian fish trade.
Export boom
Despite challenges, the Norwegian-Russian fish trade has boomed over a number of years. Norway is today by far the biggest exporter of fish products to Russia. Norway in 2010 exported 350,000 tons of seafood worth more than NOK 5 billion (€625 million) to the country, an all-time-high.
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Tuesday’s seminar took place in the premises of the Russian Chamber of Commerce in Oslo and included representatives of Norwegian fish exporting companies and unions, as well as representatives of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and state trade representatives.
