February 22, 2021

More than 500,000 tonnes of Russian meat exported in 2020

Russia has exported more than 500,000 tonnes of meat in 2020, 55% more than in 2019, according to the Agroexport center under the country's Ministry of Agriculture.

Data on deliveries to the EAEU countries are taken into account for January-October 2020.

Shipments of poultry meat increased by 41% to 285,000 tonnes and in terms of value by 32%, to $419 million. Turkey meat was exported for $13 million, 2.1 times the value in 2019.

Pork export grew 1.9 fold, to 187,000 tonnes and value increased twofold, to $324 million. Fresh and chilled carcasses and halves ($70 million) accounted for approximately 22% of shipments, while frozen offal made up 18% ($60 million).

The highest growth rate was seen in overseas sales of beef. They increased 2.9-fold, to 16,000 tonnes and value went up 3.3-fold, to $85 million.

China topped the list of the largest buyers of Russian meat with a share of 37%. The second highest share, at 16%, was held by Vietnam, largely due to the opening of its market for Russian pork at the end of 2019. As a result, exports of Russian meat to this country doubled to 73,000 tonnes, and, in value terms, increased 4.4 fold, to $140 million. Pork accounted for about 94% of this volume.

Ukraine is in third place with a share of 13%. For the year, the shipment was 79,000 tonnes (6.8% more), worth $108 million (4.3% more). 62% of the value of shipments was pork and 36% was poultry.

Hong Kong climbed to the fourth position, which doubled its imports of Russian meat to $65 million by the end of the year, mainly due to an increase in purchases of pork.

- Interfax (Russia)