2024-08-22 23:44:36
In the autumn, the European Union will discuss new sanctions against Russia. The focus is on a product that could make life more expensive, especially for parents.
For many children, they are an integral part of the diet: golden-fried, crispy fish fingers. But the traditional children’s meal could soon become significantly more expensive – and that is related to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
After the summer break, the European Union will discuss the current sanctions against Russia. The EU will discuss the effectiveness of the current sanctions, but also whether new sanctions on other products are necessary. The Baltic states in particular have Russian fishing vessels in their sights. Lithuania in particular is complaining about Russian fishing boats casting their nets in its territories.
One of the products that could be affected by possible new sanctions is Alaska pollock. The fish, whose name is misleading because it actually belongs to the cod family, is the basis for the fish fingers that are so popular in Germany.
According to statistics from the European fish industry association AIPCE, more than 70 percent of the Alaska pollock imported into the EU in 2022 came from Russian catches. According to the industry association Fish Information Center (FIZ), 85 percent of the Alaska pollock consumed in Germany currently comes from Russia.
Germany is heavily dependent on imports, as it only has a few of its own deep-sea trawlers. The Federal Association of the German Fish Industry and Fish Wholesalers sees possible sanctions as a major problem. “If supplies from the Russian Alaska pollock fishery were to fail completely due to sanctions, there would currently be no replacement,” Managing Director Stefan Meyer told the “Welt” newspaper in July.
Frozen food manufacturer Frosta is also preparing for changes. “If Alaska pollock from Russia is added to the EU sanctions list, this could significantly increase the prices for this fish from the USA,” explained Felix Ahlers, CEO of Frosta, to the “Welt” newspaper. Deliveries from the USA are already around 20 percent more expensive.
Iglo has already reacted and already sources its Alaska pollock mainly from the USA. At the same time, the company has significantly reduced its supply of raw materials from Russian sources and is increasingly using other fish species such as pangasius for products such as gourmet fillets.
Alternatives include farmed fish such as tilapia or wild fish such as cod and Cape hake. However, the options remain limited as many consumers prefer certain flavour profiles. Combinations with vegetables are also being discussed as a possible solution, but would need to be marketed under a different name if necessary.