Russia has stopped a 25-tonne shipment of frozen mackerel from Morocco from entering the Kaliningrad region because of a problem with its veterinary certificate. Russian officials found the problem during a document check at a temporary storage warehouse on 10 August. The title of the veterinary certificate did not match the approved form, according to the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).
The fish is now being kept in separate storage while Moroccan veterinary officials provide clarification on the paperwork.
There were no reported problems with the quality of the fish.
Russian authorities will check the documents before deciding what happens to the shipment. The fish could enter the Russian market if the paperwork is cleared. Otherwise, it could be sent back to the supplier.
The shipment comes as Moroccan exporters are selling more mackerel in Russia.
About 6,000 tonnes of Atlantic mackerel were exported from Morocco to Russia in 2025, according to Russia’s Fish Union. That was 2.6 times more than previous levels.
Russia imported about 70,000 tonnes of mackerel worth $160m in 2025. Suppliers from Morocco, Chile and China all increased their sales.
Russian consumers are also buying more frozen mackerel. Sales at major supermarket chains rose by 15% in volume and 50% in value.
Trade data from the United Nations shows that exports from Morocco to Russia were worth $102.76m in 2025.
Fish, crustaceans and molluscs made up $17.83m of that figure. Frozen fish, excluding fillets, accounted for $12.27m.
