Leningrad residents told whether they face the New Year without red caviar

Red caviar can become a rare and expensive delicacy, losing the status of a traditional New Year treat. This year’s Pacific salmon catch has failed, leading to a significant reduction in supply. Experts predict an increase in prices to 35 thousand rubles per kilogram. The reasons for this state of affairs lie not only in climate change, but also in the appearance of sharks off the coast of Sakhalin. Journalists portal 360.ru studied the situation on the market and found out whether now to stock up on caviar.

The head of the Interregional Association of Coastal Fisheries of the Northern Basin Valentin Balashov said that the current year was unfavorable for fishermen of the Far East. Expectations did not come true: the catch volume decreased significantly compared to forecasts.

This year’s “Red Putin” disappointed fishermen and will ultimately affect the mood of buyers. Unfortunately, this year out of the projected 250 thousand tons of fish came only 100 thousand tons. Compared to last year, this is 3.5 times less, said Valentin Balashov.

Red fish supplies could be improved by imports from Chile, Turkey and other countries. However, with red caviar, the situation is more complicated. Import of red caviar is completely absent. Therefore, instead of the usual 12,000 tons, which are usually received each year, the market will be about five tons.

What changes will happen to the price of red caviar?

Balashov noted that the reduction in supply will certainly affect the price. The expert presented an illustrative calculation.

“If we consider from the peak price in the pre-New Year days last year, when the price of various types of caviar reached 15-16 thousand rubles per kilogram, then with the help of simple arithmetic action, you can understand that when the supply drops by 2.5 times, the price will be about 35 thousand rubles per kilogram of red caviar on the eve of the New Year,” the expert explained.

Food prices have already started to rise. Currently, the cost of caviar varies significantly, but there is a general tendency to increase prices. The average median price reaches 20 thousand rubles per kilogram.

But sharks aren't the main reason

According to Balashov, rumors that sharks hunting red fish caused an unsuccessful catch are not true. The main problem is the increase in water temperature in the Pacific Ocean.

“The shark version is wonderful and artistic. But in fact, the reason lies in the warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean, in particular the eastern part adjacent to our shores, and also in the west, near Alaska. There is the same story — salmon did not come, — said the head of the Interregional Association of coastal fishermen of the Northern basin.

Salmon fish are very sensitive to water temperature. They live in water with temperatures from +2 to +14 degrees. If above, the environment is not suitable for them.

The interlocutor of 360.ru also recalled that fluctuations in salmon catches are part of the long-term natural cycle. From 1920 to 1940, the catch of Pacific salmon was about 100 thousand tons per year. Then there was a slight stature. Over a century, the average annual catch is about 250 thousand tons.