Russian Ice Cream Exports Increase by 30% in First Nine Months of 2025
The key export destinations remain the EAEU countries and neighboring regions. The top three largest buyers were Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. Ice cream exports to Kazakhstan over nine months amounted to $26 million, which is 41% more than the previous year. Exports to Belarus increased by 32% to $12 million, and to Uzbekistan by 13% to $6.6 million.
Mongolia ranked fourth among foreign markets, increasing its imports of Russian ice cream by 16% to $6 million. China maintained the sixth position in the export structure with shipments worth $2.5 million.
The highest growth rates were recorded in new and developing markets. For instance, shipments to Iraq increased 2.7 times, to South Korea 2.5 times, and to Nigeria 2.1 times year-on-year.
The head of the Federal Center "Agroexport," Ilya Ilyushin, noted that the ice cream sector has adapted to sanctions by reorienting to alternative markets. According to him, in 2025, Russian ice cream is being supplied to more than 50 countries, and by 2030, exports could exceed $110 million.
Artem Belov, General Director of Soyuzmoloko, described ice cream as one of the most promising segments for diversifying dairy exports. According to the union's estimates, ice cream production in Russia in 2025 could grow to about 650,000 tons. He also noted the expansion of supply geography and increased interest in Russian products from China, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Artem Belov, exports provide dairy companies with strategic advantages, including diversification of sales channels, reduced dependence on the domestic market, and higher profitability, as well as stimulating improvements in quality, packaging, and logistics standards.
The successful practice of export expansion is confirmed by the experience of the Renna Group. Igor Moskovtsev, General Director of the "Korenovsk Dairy-Canning Plant" and the "Factory of Real Ice Cream," reported that the "Korovka iz Korenovki" brand ice cream has been supplied abroad for almost 10 years, with sales spanning over 15 countries. In 2025, the company's export volume reached 1,500 tons, whereas previously it was about 500 tons per year. The group's total ice cream exports since 2016 have approached 10,000 tons.
The main markets for the Renna Group remain Abkhazia, Israel, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. At the same time, 65% of export sales are in the classic format — plombir in a cup. Among the priority new directions, the company is considering Malaysia, Indonesia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and continues to develop supplies to China.
