Authorities in Rostov Region Assess Risk of Oil Plant Shutdowns Due to Meal Export Challenges

The order to assess the situation was issued by the First Deputy Governor of the Rostov Region, Aleksey Gospodarev, during a session of the regional export council. The concern involves enterprises processing oilseeds: in producing oil, they yield meal used as feedstock for animal feeds.

Mr. Gospodarev pointed out that transporting meal by rail is not economically justified. The maritime route is also unavailable: vessel movement through the Azov-Don Sea Canal and the Kerch Strait has been suspended since July 10. Against this backdrop, regional authorities plan to specifically examine the scenario where navigation does not resume.

The finished vegetable oil, as noted by the First Deputy Governor, can be shipped in containers by the enterprises. For meal, however, this option may not be feasible. The necessity of exporting this by-product became the subject of discussion at the export council meeting.

"We might face a situation where oil processing plants halt operations because there would be no place to send the meal. Let's work on the hypothesis that the sea won't open and navigation won't be available," said Aleksey Gospodarev. The order involves exploring the risk, not announcing the shutdown of specific plants.

According to the regional ministry of agriculture, food exports from the area increased by nearly 3% from January to August 2026. This growth was driven by the supply of grain crops. At the same time, exports from the oil and fat industry fell, though the specific volume decrease was not disclosed in the report.

The regional program for export development was 60% fulfilled during the indicated period. Information regarding risks to oil processing companies was revealed on September 28, 2026, within the context of discussing external supplies of agricultural complex products.