The 29th China Fisheries & Seafood Expo took place in Qingdao on 28-30 October, attracting 47,528 fisheries professionals from 149 countries. A total of 1,620 companies from 50 countries exhibited at the event. Of the 27 national pavilions, the Russian pavilion was once again the largest, showcasing the achievements of Russia's fisheries sector to audiences from China, across Asia and around the world for the tenth time.
Russian Pavilion Marks Anniversary with Record-Breaking Showcase
Covering more than 1,600 sq m, the National Pavilion of the Russian Federation brought together over 60 companies from across the country: fishing and crab harvesting businesses, suppliers of finished fish products, fish oil, fishmeal, feed and feed ingredients as well as logistics and shipbuilding companies. Leading fish distributors also joined the exhibition this year. Alongside major industry players, small and medium-sized regional businesses showcased their products and services as part of the joint stands of Kamchatka, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories.
The official tour by the Chinese delegation traditionally began at the Russian pavilion. It was led by Ma Youxiang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PRC. The delegation was welcomed by Dr Kirill Kolonchin, Director of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), Alexey Gaidukov, Head of VNIRO's Russian-Chinese Centre for Scientific and Technical Cooperation, Sergey Mikheev, representative of the Federal Agency for Fisheries in China and Ivan Fetisov, CEO of Expo Solutions Group, the organiser of the Russian pavilion.
Members of the Chinese delegation sampled pollock roe dishes at the Pollock Catchers Association tasting area, viewed live crabs in an aquarium at the Russian Crab Group stand and tasted crab products at the Antey Group stand. After touring the Russian pavilion, the delegation also visited the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping stand.
Fish Goes Retail
One of the programme highlights was a visit by Chinese retailers arranged at the invitation of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The delegation included representatives of eight Chinese companies, among them five leading retail chains – Hebei Huiyou, Qingdao Aeon Dongtai, Hubei Yasheng, Chengdu Ito-Yokado and Tianhong – with a combined turnover of more than CNY 25 billion and over 300 retail outlets, as well as a representative of the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA).
The retail representatives explored products from Russian companies and discussed potential supply arrangements. The first commercial-scale samples of products made with Russian pollock roe, presented at the Pollock Catchers Association stand, attracted particular interest. The project, developed by the Association since 2023 together with Chinese food technologists and processors, is creating products tailored to local tastes and the characteristics of the Chinese consumer market.
The Chinese retailers also took a close interest in products displayed by NWFC, RRPK, Russian Crab Group, Sigma Marine Technology, Koryakmoreprodukt, Fosforel, FOR Group and Krayrybakkolkhozsoyuz, discussing the details of potential retail supplies with their representatives.
The Universal Language of Gastronomy
As in previous years, visitors to the Russian pavilion could not only explore the broad range of fish and seafood on display but also taste products from the exhibitors. The pavilion's Russian Fish House restaurant once again welcomed guests, with a professional team of chefs preparing dishes from ingredients supplied by Russian exhibitors and demonstrating the many ways they can be used.
Familiar pollock and salmon fishcakes appeared on the menu alongside Asian dishes including tom yum and spring rolls with orange aioli as well as more unusual combinations. Culinary experiments blending different traditions were a particular focus. Traditional Russian pancakes, for example, were served with pollock roe in an Asian-inspired interpretation. This approach presented Russian fish and seafood not only as the basis of familiar dishes but also as versatile ingredients for modern cuisine, open to new recipes and flavour combinations.
Expanding International Cooperation
China Fisheries & Seafood Expo also served as a platform for Expo Solutions Group to strengthen cooperation with international industry partners. A series of meetings took place on the sidelines of the exhibition with representatives from China as well as delegations and businesses from other countries. The parties discussed opportunities to work together and expand their presence in the Russian market.
On the opening day, as the Federal Agency for Fisheries training tall ship Pallada arrived in Qingdao, Expo Solutions Group CEO Ivan Fetisov held talks with Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd., the operator of the port. Following the meeting, the parties outlined a joint work plan for the coming year to advance the port management's interest in cooperation with Russian companies in fish processing, transshipment and logistics. Discussions also continued on expanding long-standing cooperation with Liaoyu Group and the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance (CAPPMA), which announced plans to increase the space occupied by Chinese exhibitors at Seafood Expo Russia 2027.
Other international partners also confirmed plans to take part in the exhibition in St Petersburg. Venezuela will once again present a national pavilion while K FISH will expand the showcase of Korean companies. Representatives from Brazil and Ecuador also expressed interest in participating in Seafood Expo Russia. Cooperation is moving in both directions: Russian companies are preparing to present their products at Seafood Show Latin America 2027 in São Paulo for the first time. Prospects for jointly promoting products and technology solutions were also discussed with the management of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (BNBC).
More Milestones and Opportunities Ahead
Next year China Fisheries & Seafood Expo will celebrate a major milestone when it holds its 30th edition on 27-29 October 2027. The National Pavilion of the Russian Federation will grow further and present new projects to promote the products and services of Russian companies. The Global Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo Russia in St Petersburg will also celebrate its tenth edition, giving Chinese participants another reason to expand their own presence.