2017 has been a great year in many ways. Every success story requires effort and 2017 proved this once again. We have successfully accomplished our annual goals, and for that, I would like to thank our team, our partners and clients.

Although Baltic fisheries are still facing a crisis, we have managed to operate effectively and profitably. In December, there were some developments in the embargo to Eurasian Customs Union, when two companies – one in Estonia and one in Latvia, were given the green light by Rosselhoznadzor, to start exporting again to the ECU.

We, at Saare Fishexport OÜ, are hoping that it was the first good news of more to come and that  we’ll see a decrease of pressure in the Ukrainian market in 2018.

During 2017 we put a lot of energy and resources to R&D, and in the first half of 2018, we will be able to demonstrate some of the outcomes. The goal has been to develop our assortment and thereby enter new markets in Europe.

In October 2017 following catching limits were agreed to:

• TAC for sprat in the Baltic sea will be increased +1%
• TAC for Baltic herring will be decreased: Western herring -39%, Bothnian Herring -40%, Riga herring -7%.
• TAC for central herring will be increased +20%

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One of our main goals will be to acquire MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification. There are on-going discussions with Swedish, Danish, German and Baltic producer organizations to assess and certify the central Baltic sprat and Baltic herring fisheries.

It is very important for us and our clients to be MSC-certified, because one of our values is sustainability. We see that each one of us plays a big part in the future of the fish biomass and general fauna of the Baltic Sea.

In 2018, we will launch new products that we have been working on this year. Also in cooperation with universities and research institutions, we will keep searching for technologies and ways of adding more value to the Baltic sprat and Baltic herring.

In the first half of next year, a new fish meal factory will be opened in Paldiski, which will make a big difference for Estonian fisheries. It will help spread the market risks in Eastern Europe and shake up the market. It is a big step for all of us and most definitely in a positive direction.

I’m really happy and proud to be where we are today with Saare Fishexport. We are ready to set and meet new goals, face new challenges and make 2018 another great year for us!