In the first eight months of the year, Russia produced 23.3 million tons of milk - an increase of 0.3%

Forecasts for the year have been adjusted downward: analysts estimate that the increase in production in comparable prices will not exceed 2.2–2.3%.

Food Industry: Negative Dynamics

The production index of food products decreased to 98.1% in August, and to 99.1% over eight months.

The business confidence index also shows a negative trend: from 10% in May to 6% in September. Experts note a growing depression in the food industry, and the Ministry of Economic Development's forecast of a 0.4% growth by the end of the year becomes unlikely.

Harvest: Grains Compensate for Sunflower Decline

As of September 1, 90.9 million tons of grain were harvested (+7.4% compared to last year). Sugar beet production increased by 27.4% (4.8 million tons). Meanwhile, the sunflower harvest decreased by 33.7% (0.6 million tons).

The potato harvest increased by 6.2%, and vegetables by 1%. By calculations, about 34% of the grain and legume crops (excluding corn) remained to be harvested by September.

Livestock Farming: Reduction in Livestock and Weak Dynamics

By the end of August 2025, the cattle population was 16.8 million heads (–3.2%), including 7.3 million cows (–3.3%). The number of sheep and goats decreased by 5.5%, while the number of pigs increased by 1.3%, and poultry by 1%.

In eight months, the following were produced:

• 10.5 million tons of livestock and poultry (+0.1%),

• 23.3 million tons of milk (+0.3%),

• 32.5 billion eggs (+4.3%).

In agricultural organizations, milk yield per cow increased to 6,342 kg (+3.9%), and the egg production of laying hens increased to 211 eggs (+0.5%).
However, overall growth is constrained by reduced production in farming households and individual farms. A minimal growth is forecasted for the year: +0.5% for meat and +0.4% for milk.

Sales: Sales Grow Faster than Production

From January to August, the following were sold:

• 34.2 million tons of grain,

• 9.1 million tons of livestock and poultry,

• 14.1 million tons of milk,

• 23.4 billion eggs.

Sales growth is recorded in all categories except grains, but the increase in sales volumes is not accompanied by a comparable increase in production, indicating structural imbalances.

Rosstat notes:

• Crop production shows steady growth,

• Livestock farming is reducing livestock numbers and operating at the edge of profitability,

• The food industry is entering stagnation,

• Farming households are losing ground, limiting the overall potential of the sector.