Can Russia reach 1 million tonnes of meat and poultry exports in 2025?
Expanding broiler meat exports are expected to drive Russian meat and poultry exports beyond the significant mark of 1 million tonnes this year.
During the first 6 months of 2025, Russian exports of meat and live animals showed solid growth, also signalling the potential for a further rise later in the year, Sergey Dankvert, head of the Russian state veterinary body Rosselhoznadzor outlined during an industry event in Moscow.
“Last year, the [export] figure was 860,000 tonnes, but we are already capable of exporting 1 million tonnes of meat and finished products, offal, live animals and products of animal origin [in 2025],” Dankvert said.
Exporters ramp up deliveries
Leading Russian meat and poultry exporters are also rolling out ambitious plans to boost exports this year.
In 2025, Cherkizovo, the largest Russian meat manufacturer, forecasts a 25% increase in sales to foreign customers, Sergey Mikhailov, CEO of Cherkizovo, revealed during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Last year, exports, which were 70% comprised of broiler meat, generated 9% of the company’s revenue.
In addition, turkey exports from Russia are booming, Mikhailov indicated. “The dynamics of turkey exports are very good. In the first quarter of 2025, deliveries in physical and monetary terms increased by more than 60%. Of all the categories of our products, this is the most impressive growth,” he said.
Cherkizovo primarily exports its products to China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus. Last year, sales to Saudi Arabia jumped by 350% and to Uzbekistan by 200%.
Bet on Africa is not paying off
However, Russia’s push to export more poultry to Africa, declared by Russian Agricultural Ministry officials as a strategic goal, is not yet paying off.
“Africa is a risky and low-margin direction. It accounted for about 1% of the volume exported in the first quarter [of 2025]. Nevertheless, we keep this direction in focus, monitoring the market situation. If there is a favourable market situation, we ship products there,” Mikhailov said, adding that export prospects largely depend on the growth in the African population’s purchasing power.
Poultry exports account for 48% of sales
In 2024, Russian meat and poultry exports jumped by 24%, reaching a record of US$1.7 billion, estimated Agroexport, a Russian government agency facilitating exports. Poultry exports reached US$800 million, accounting for 48% of sales.
In volume, Russia exported 387,000 tonnes of poultry in 2024, EMEAT, a Moscow-based think tank estimated. By 2030, Russian poultry and meat exports are projected to double, reaching US$3.6 billion per year, the agency forecasted.
