Russian Dairy Product Exports to Exceed $500 Million by 2025
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Maxim Borovoy, reminded that the strategic goal of the industry is to increase milk production to 38.5 million tons by 2030. According to him, the growth is expected to be supported by the implementation of investment projects and productivity improvements. Borovoy noted that the demand for dairy products in Russia continues to grow: 'According to our data, consumption increased by 2 kg per person last year.' Among the priorities of the ministry for the current year, he highlighted ensuring price stability in the dairy market and sufficient profitability for producers.
According to Ilya Ilyushin, the most significant export growth in 2025 was recorded in several categories: the supply of fermented dairy products and packaged milk increased by 21%, cheeses and cottage cheese by 13%, condensed milk by 28%, and ice cream by 29%. The export of dry whey more than doubled. Overall, Russian dairy products were supplied to nearly 100 countries.
However, Ilyushin emphasized, the main volume of exports still goes to post-Soviet countries, but further expansion will occur through distant foreign markets. He identified China, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Southeast Asian countries as promising directions. 'We estimate the export of Russian dairy products in 2030 at more than $730 million, almost one and a half times the level of 2025,' said the head of 'Agroexport'. He assessed the potential for exporting dry dairy products (SMP, SCM, and whey) by 2030 at more than $140 million, 2.5 times higher than the 2025 level.
The director of Soyuzmoloko, Artem Belov, called export one of the key growth points of the industry, noting that the global market provides opportunities for accelerated expansion of presence. According to FAO forecasts, global milk consumption will increase by 22%, or 208 million tons, over the next 10 years.
'Just global dairy trade is worth more than $100 billion. More than 20% of the milk produced worldwide is traded within foreign economic activity. Russia's share in this market is still small, less than 1%, so we have potential,' noted Artem Belov.
According to him, Russia is already more actively promoting exchange-traded dairy products to distant foreign markets. If before 2020 the share of such directions in exports was about 10%, now it is estimated at 15-18% and shows a steady growth trend.
Photo: Telegram channel 'Agroexport'
