Between January and August 2025, the Republic of Dagestan processed 4,000 tons of fish, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024 (3,500 tons), Khadizhat Shamkhalova, Head of the regional Fisheries Committee says.

Of the total processed fish, 3,400 metric tons originated from within the republic through fishing or aquaculture, while 550.68 metric tons were imported from other Russian regions. Shamkhalova highlighted that the predominant species processed include white amur, asp, silver carp, sprat, herring, chamois and carp.

Processing methods employed encompass smoking, salting, drying, freezing and canning. Notably, a new processing plant operated by Kaspiy Ryba LLC is scheduled to commence operations in Kizlyar municipal district in October 2025. This facility is projected to produce canned goods and elevate the annual Caspian fish processing capacity up to 6,500 metric tons.

Finished fish products are distributed within Dagestan and shipped to major Russian cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar and Stavropol, with a portion also designated for export.

Shamkhalova attributed the growth in processing and demand for fish products to the burgeoning tourism sector in Dagestan.  While 1.8 million tourists visited the republic in 2024, projections estimate approximately 2 million visitors in 2025.

In 2024, a total of 5,800 metric tons of aquatic biological resources were processed, with 5,300 metric tons comprising fish caught in the Caspian Sea and 550 metric tons representing imported products such as salmon, pink salmon, cod, Atlantic herring, and red caviar. Currently, 18 processing companies operate within the republic, and their products enjoy significant demand in neighboring countries including Kazakhstan and Belarus.