Not only was Germany dependent on Russian gas, it was even more dependent on Alaska pollock, which actually comes from Putin’s fishing grounds. Those who do not want to support the war must find alternatives. And they have to please the consumer.
As the saying goes, the fish stinks from the head. And the head of the problem is Vladimir Putin. The war in Ukraine has had an impact on the refrigerated section and on our plates. Up to Iglo, Frosta and whatever the vendors are called. And not just when it comes to the price of the groceries, but also when it comes to the question of where they get their fish, which no child’s menu should be without, and what exactly fish fingers or gourmet fillets will soon consist of.
Around a quarter of Alaska pollock is either from Russian waters or caught by Russian trawlers. Anyone who eats fish fingers could indirectly help finance Putin’s war against Ukraine. No wonder manufacturers like Iglo would like to be as independent from Russian fish as chemical giant BASF, for example, is from Russian gas.
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But finding a replacement is difficult, especially at reasonably affordable prices. After all, customers in the refrigerated section are not willing to accept further price increases for products such as fish fingers. Wild fish is a rare commodity and especially one that should be properly certified. And under no circumstances do Iglo and Frosta want to do without seals of quality such as that of the certifier MSC (Marine Stewardship Council). In your own interest, it is important to you that the fishing grounds are no longer overfished.
Incidentally, these fish species are not on the list of sanctions that Europe has imposed on Russia. Only crustaceans and caviar may not be imported. German manufacturers are not the only ones with this problem, practically half the world is looking for a substitute for Russian fish. That’s why the fish processors keep a low profile about which alternatives they have their eyes on. So that the competition doesn’t snatch the source away from you.
According to experts, the main alternatives are hake, tilapia, squid or pangasius. The ecological balance of the tropical freshwater fish does not have the best reputation, but its price does, and the availability currently speaks for itself. But since the other fish species can’t even come close to meeting the demand that Russia eliminates, the hottest bet right now is the pangasius from the fish farm – the pike in the carp pond, so to speak. However, the fish is considered to be heavily contaminated with antibiotics.
Both manufacturers and consumers are therefore in a dilemma: some do not want to buy Russian fish for moral reasons and therefore take fish from the fish farm that they would otherwise tend to despise. The consumer must decide whether he wants this form of husbandry on his plate, including the potential health risks. If not, he has to realize that fish fingers may become a luxury item.
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