Russia’s Agriculture Ministry pledges to retain subsidized investment loans for milk producers

Nekrasov spoke at the forum of the 14th Interregional Agro-Industrial Exhibition, Agroprom Ural. He linked the retention of subsidized investment loans to the intention to maintain investor confidence in government support for the sector, even during difficult periods.

Since the start of 2026, large and medium-sized producers have no longer received a subsidy for each kilogram of milk marketed. The deputy minister described current market conditions as relatively favorable and highlighted rising productivity and technological advances among the sector’s strengths.

According to Nekrasov, the ministry is monitoring the implementation of 78 major livestock projects. Together, they are expected to increase milk output by almost 300,000 tonnes in the coming years. These facilities are expected to reach full capacity from 2028 onward.

The projects include both the construction of new facilities and the modernization of existing production operations, the deputy minister clarified.

According to statistics from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), agricultural organizations produced 16.5 million tonnes of milk in January–September 2026, up 2.1% from the first nine months of 2025. September output totaled 1.8 million tonnes, an increase of 1.8% year on year.

At the end of September, agricultural organizations held 7.37 million head of cattle, down 1.8% from a year earlier. The number of cows fell by 2.7% to 2.94 million head.