The Ministry of Agriculture reports that Russia exported more than 700,000 tons of meat and slaughter waste in 2024, 27% more than in 2023. Pork production rose by one-third, poultry by 25%, and cattle by 22%. China has been the largest buyer since 2019. Saudi Arabia is also in the top three (an increase of 1.9 times to 230 million dollars), according to figures from Agroexport.
The geographic proximity of potential buyers in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions also plays an important role. African countries, where increased purchasing power is accompanied by rising demand for animal proteins, are experiencing growing demand for protein-rich food.
The export of Russian pork to China has also increased significantly, partly as a result of European sanctions and rising Russian interest rates. According to the Russian Union of Pork Producers (RUPP), exports grew from 240,000 tons in 2023 to 300,000 tons in 2024, of which 50,000 tons went to the Chinese market.
Besides pork, Russia is also playing an increasingly prominent role in exporting other agricultural products to China, such as grain and peas. The country has overtaken Canada as the main supplier of peas to the Chinese market, with a market share of almost 50%.
Domestic consumption of pork has also grown; in 2023, the average Russian consumed more than 30 kilograms per person, a trend expected to continue in 2024. Market analysts predict that pork will take the dominant position in the Russian meat market, surpassing chicken meat.
The war in Ukraine and the subsequent economic sanctions have put severe pressure on the Russian economy. A major challenge for Russian pork producers is the increase in domestic interest rates to 21%, which makes investments nearly impossible.
The pork industry has called on the Russian government to reinstate a favorable loan program, which was discontinued in 2019. According to Yuri Kovalev, director of the RUPP, new projects without this program are not profitable for the next eight to ten years.