South Korea increases imports of Russian shrimp to multi-year high as demand surges in January 2026

South Korea is turning its attention to Russian seafood in a big way.

In January 2026 alone, the country purchased Russian shrimp valued at $54 million — the highest monthly total in several years, according to RIA Novosti, which cited South Korea’s official statistics.

Only once in recent memory did imports surpass this figure: December 2023, when Russian shrimp imports reached $63.2 million.

For context, January 2025 saw a comparatively modest $33.8 million in purchases. Clearly, demand is on the rise.

Record Volumes on South Korean Docks

It’s not just the value of the shipments that stands out — the volume tells a similar story.

In the first month of 2026, South Korea imported about 2,000 tons of Russian shrimp, nearly double the amount seen in January 2025.

The surge underscores a growing appetite among consumers and businesses in South Korea for Russian seafood.

Broader Seafood Trade Trends

Shrimp is only one part of the picture.

By the end of 2025, Russian imports of seafood from China had also reached their highest value since 2015.

Shrimp alone accounted for $42.3 million of that total.

Russia also brought in frozen crabs worth $145,500, langoustines at $12,400, and a smaller quantity of lobsters valued at $624.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation reports that Russia imported 20,000 tons of Indian shrimp in 2024, highlighting the scale of its seafood trade and the international network of suppliers it relies on to satisfy domestic demand.

Implications for the Seafood Market

This trend could have ripple effects throughout the Asia-Pacific seafood market.

South Korea’s growing imports of Russian shrimp may affect pricing, supply chains, and trade relations with other key shrimp exporters, including India and China.

The increase also reflects broader shifts in trade patterns, possibly linked to changing consumer preferences, regional supply stability, and economic factors in both South Korea and Russia.

What’s Next?

Trade analysts will be watching February and March 2026 closely to see if this trend continues.

Will South Korea maintain these high levels of imports, or is January an outlier? Additionally, Russia’s ability to keep up with rising demand without straining its domestic market will be critical.

Meanwhile, monitoring shipments from other major suppliers like India and China will provide insight into how global seafood flows might shift in the coming months.

Summary

In January 2026, South Korea imported $54 million worth of Russian shrimp, reaching a multi-year high in both value and volume, with 2,000 tons arriving at ports — nearly double the amount from January 2025.

This surge comes amid a record-high value of Russian seafood imports from China, with shrimp leading the way.

The trend highlights growing demand for Russian seafood in South Korea and could impact regional supply chains and global market dynamics in the months ahead.