From the beginning of the current year until mid-June, the volume of agricultural product supplies from Russia to China reached $3.1 billion, which is 8% more than in the same period a year earlier, according to Ilya Ilyushin, the head of the federal center "Agroexport". He predicts that by the end of the year, the total export volume will exceed $7 billion, and by 2030, the export potential is estimated to exceed $11 billion.
Last year, agricultural exports from Russia to China amounted to $6.4 billion. The structure of shipments was as follows: 38% for fish and seafood, 26% for vegetable oils, 11% for oilseeds, 10% for grains, 9% for meat, and 5% for processed products. Ilyushin noted that Russian exports to China are characterized by a significant variety of goods.
Furthermore, Russia is the largest supplier of sunflower and rapeseed oils to China. In 2024, Russia's share in the Chinese imports of rapeseed oil reached 58%, and the country's position in this market continues to strengthen, emphasized Ilyushin. However, the main share of Russian exports to China is fish and seafood. Russia is the world's largest supplier of frozen fish, with China being the main consumer of this product, added Ilyushin. Last year, the volume of Russian fish and seafood deliveries to China exceeded $2.4 billion.
Despite Russia being a global leader in grain exports and the main supplier of wheat to the world market, grain exports to China are just beginning to develop, the head of "Agroexport" highlighted. Over the past five years, grain and legume shipments from Russia to China have increased eightfold, reaching nearly $700 million last year. Ilyushin emphasized that there is great potential for further increasing shipments, especially after the restrictions on winter wheat exports have been lifted. Additionally, he pointed out that Russia continues to be the sole supplier of buckwheat to China, constantly increasing export volumes.
"To date, the volume of buckwheat shipments from Russia to China has exceeded 158 thousand tons totaling more than $40 million. Compared to last year, exports increased by 52% in volume and by 22% in value," clarified the head of "Agroexport".
The institute also sees significant potential for increasing the export of processed products. Over the past five years, its volume has almost doubled, reaching nearly $200 million. According to Ilyushin, this year there is a significant growth in shipments of pasta, non-alcoholic beverages, and spirits.
"According to our data, by mid-June of this year, the volume of vodka exports from Russia to China reached 1.4 thousand tons totaling $2.1 million. Compared to the same period last year, the volume of shipments increased by 57% in volume and by almost 87% in value," noted the head of "Agroexport". “There is also an increase in purchases of pasta from Russia, amounting to 820 tons totaling over $670 thousand. Compared to last year, the import volume increased by 72% in volume and by 62.5% in value.”
