Russian pork exports grow in Q1 thanks to China
In the 1st quarter of 2025, Russia is said to have exported 76,000 tons of pork, a 72% increase from the previous year. In value, exports grew nearly 2-fold to US$180 million, Agroexport, a Russian government agency facilitating exports, has reported.
The growth would have largely been propelled by demand from China, the officials indicated. The increase in exports to China, which is said to have commenced in March 2024, is substantial. According to Agroexport, in the 1st quarter of 2025, it would have grown by a factor of 130, reaching an estimated US$ 32 million.
Vietnam, one of the key markets for Russian pork, also would have doubled purchases. Exports to Belarus increased by 53%, according to Agroexport.
Reach of Russia’s pig industry
The reach of Russia’s pig industry also widened, the Agroexport’s report said. During the 1st quarter of 2025, Russia exported pork to 43 markets, up from 32 in the previous year. That was shared by Ilya Ilyushin, head of Agroexport, in the agency’s statement.
That was supported by Yuri Kovalev, chairman of the Russian Union of Pork Producers (RUPP). In an interview with the Russian branch of Forbes he said that pork exports are growing across the board.
Pork sales figures for 2024
The 1st quarter thus shows a similar tendency as the whole of 2024. In 2024, according to a government agency, the country would have sold 34% more pork to foreign customers than in 2023. Pork exports to China reached 40,000 tons in the 2nd half of 2024.
Projections of pork exports for remainder of 2025
For the rest of the year 2025, further growth is projected, even though the pace might be different than in the 1st quarter of 2025. For the entire year 2025, Russia’s pork exports are projected to rise by 15-20% compared with 2024, Kovalev said. Again, shipments to China will determine the outcome. Russian pig farmers expect to at least double the 2024 pork export figures to China, Kovalev said.
Russian companies exploring pork exports
More Russian companies are exploring export opportunities. AgroEko, one of Russia’s leading pork manufacturers, has recently begun exporting to Vietnam, the company stated on April 28.
AgroEko, which traditionally focused on selling pork in nearby markets of Belarus, Georgia and Armenia, also started delivering to Serbia, India and several African countries in 2024.
