Russia (bbabo.net), - Import substitution has reached crab sticks. Previously, we completely imported raw materials of incomprehensible quality from China and other countries. At the end of 2021, the production of surimi (minced fish) in Russia increased from zero to more than a third of the demand.
In 2021, the volume of surimi output in the Far East reached 8.4 thousand tons, said German Zverev, president of the All-Russian Association of Fisheries Industry (VARPE). It was possible to establish industrial production of surimi using the mechanism of investment quotas (in exchange for a quota for fishing, the investor undertakes to renew the fleet and processing facilities), according to the Federal Agency for Fishery. The first of 21 plants put into operation under this mechanism was the fish processing complex on the island of Shikotan (Kuril Islands). Even now, this enterprise can receive up to 1 thousand tons of pollock daily and, along with the production of frozen fish, produce up to 100 tons of minced surimi and up to 50 tons of pollock fillets. During the year, this complex processes about 100 thousand tons of fish.
"Increasing the domestic production of surimi minced fish will significantly reduce the purchase of these products from foreign suppliers and offer buyers truly high-quality products produced by domestic companies," the Federal Agency for Fishery believes.
Surimi is one of the most popular folk delicacies for Russian consumers, the department notes. Products from this minced fish are the most useful, since they are made from concentrated fish protein with a reduced content of fat and cholesterol from white fish meat. Mostly pollock. And processors are seeing an increase in demand for surimi products.
"This product is easy to prepare, namely, the speed and ease of preparation are most appreciated by modern housewives. Today, a huge number of dishes are prepared from crab sticks - salads, snacks, pastries, sushi and much more. A wide range of products of different price segments is presented in retail chains. Development This market contributes to increasing the popularity of fish dishes and the consumption of fish products in general," German Zverev is sure.
Now surimi is imported to Russia mainly from China, Japan, India, Thailand and Vietnam. Over the past four years, the volume of imports of surimi ice cream has amounted to about 20,000 tons worth $50-55 million, says Alexei Buglak, president of the Pollack Catchers Association. According to German Zverev, in the next five years, the output of Russian minced surimi may exceed 55 thousand tons, that is, we will be able not only to completely cover domestic needs, but also enter foreign markets with products. At the same time, companies that are now building supertrawlers also have plans to produce sea-frozen surimi (from fresh fish). These are more premium products that are in high demand abroad, the expert adds.
According to Aleksey Buglak, the world production of surimi is 850,000 tons worth $2.6 billion. Most of it is produced in the countries of Southeast Asia, as a rule, from tropical or warm-water fish species, including artificially grown ones. At the same time, surimi made from white fish, especially pollock, is most valued. Now the largest producer of pollock surimi ice cream is the United States. Surimi is used to produce a wide range of fish products, ranging from crab sticks, fish meatballs, imitations to dried snacks. The capacity of the global consumer market for surimi products in ADM is estimated at $4.9 billion.
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