Russian Pork Exports To China Soar

By Rhod Mackenzie

Over the last few years the  achievements of Russian pig farmers is nothing short of spectacular.The development of the pig farming sector over the past decade and a half have been so significant that it is poised to become a key supplier of pork protein to China.
Back in 2018,  the Chinese market was not even open to Russian producers but work within the BRICS framework changed things for Russian pork producers and their products.
The last year for example has marked a significant shift in this the dynamics of Russian pork products supplies to China.
The decision by Beijing to approve the import of Russian pork has changed the whole situation and this was based on a nunber of factors one was geography and another was the close support of the respective governments on trade issues thanks to close cooperation through BRICS channels.
Also the tariff and trade wars between the EU,USA ad China have led to the discovery of "toxic" elements in American and European pork.
In 2025, it is acknowleded that the increase in the export of Russian meat to China will be dramatic , with pork demonstrating the highest growth rates. Sergei Yushin, head of the National Meat Association, he stated that Russian's  exports have grown by more than 50% compared to last year, and in monetary  terms by 75%.
"That is, we supply better quality and more expensive pork at higher prices, and this also applies to offal," he added.Do bear in mind that the Chinese eat everything,the only thing with wings they do not eat is an aeroplane and the only thing with four legs is a table everything else from the ears nose to legs,feet and the tail gets eaten and Russia exports them all.

Now in the month of July alone, and only to China, Russia exported more than $22 million worth of pig products. This represents an increase of almost a third on last year's results.And its an offal lot of pork pun intended

Russia's recent achievements in the industry are the result of long-term policies that have implemented over the past decade and a half.
Russia initiated a programme of support for pig farming back  in 2005, offering preferential loans, subsidies and full development programmes. Moreover from 2005 to 2006, the construction of a number large pig complexes started , with a particular focus on biosecurity and efficiency, according to Vladimir Chernov, an analyst at Freedom Finance Global.

"The subsidies for the development of production, along with decision to restrict pork imports from the EU , resulted in a twofold decrease in imports in 2014 and a subsequent reduction to seriously minimal levels in 2018-2020.
Since thentime, there has been a huge development in pork exports, as the domestic market has become saturated," says Denis Ternovsky, leading researcher at the Center for Agro-Food Policy of the Presidential Academy.

The Agricultural Ministry maintained its commitment to the industry. In 2018, for example, leading companies received investment loans totalling approximately 250 billion rubles, which enabled them to expand production and modernise infrastructure through until 2025. The Ministry of Agriculture's programmes, including the development of breeding pig farming, contributed to improving the genetics and quality of products, says Chernov.

According to Svetlana lyashenko, professor of trade policy at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, "Large agroholdings and vertically integrated companies have implemented projects to build powerful breeding and farming pig complexes, and have invested not only in production, but also in creating their own genetic base, feed production, logistics and processing.
This has allowed them to control the entire value chain and reduce costs. Russia has not only met its own pork requirements, but has also become a significant exporter of the product."
Consequently, in 2018, Russia was able to fully meet its own pork requirements, with production exceeding domestic demand by 3.74 million tons. "By 2020, pork imports were almost non-existent, and in 2025 they remained minimal, which confirms the stability of the domestic market," says Chernov.

Indeed, as soon as the domestic market was saturated, Russia began exporting pork. In 2021, exports totalled 187,000 tons, valued at $390 million. By 2024, this figure had increased to 300,000 tons, with a value of $610 million.

"However, the path to export success was not without challenges. Export deliveries began to increase in 2017, when Russia satisfied domestic demand and began to seek out foreign markets. The main destinations were the EAEU countries, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Russian pork did  faced strong competition from key players in the Asian market, namely the US, the EU and Brazil. Then of course since 2008, outbreaks of African swine fever have led to bans on exports to China and other countries, as China has not recognised the principle of regionalisation (allowing exports from ASF-free zones).
To enter markets, including the Chinese one, Russian companies had to adapt to strict safety and quality requirements for products," says Chernov.

Notably, 2023 marked a significant breakthrough, as China lifted restrictions on Russian pork supplies in the autumn, which had been in place since 2008 due to ASF.
"Following 15 years of negotiations, and the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rosselkhoznadzor, and businesses, China has recognised Russian regions free of African Swine Flue as safe for export. This became a key catalyst for export growth in 2024–2025," says Vladimir Chernov.
Deliveries to China commenced in the spring of 2024. Last year, Russia exported 39,000 tons of products to China, including 21,200 tons of pork and 17,900 tons of offal. In July 2025, deliveries increased by almost 30% compared to July 2024, reaching $22.4 million.

It is interesting to note that Chinese consumers rapidly increased their purchases of Russian pork, which resulted in a shift in market share away from their previously traditional suppliers.
In July 2025, Russia secured fourth position among pork suppliers to China, marking an improvement from its fifth-place ranking in June. Historically, approximately 50% of China's pork imports originated from EU countries, primarily Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and France.
However, in response to the EU imposing duties on Chinese electric vehicles, China initiated an anti-dumping investigation against pork from these countries. Russian pork has displaced these countries on the Chinese market," says Vladimir Chernov.

Consequently, Russian pork is enabling  China in reducing its reliance on the EU and provides a rationale for a robust response to the Europeans in the context of their trade disputes. A similar situation is evident with the US: China is currently in the process of reducing its reliance on American pork. Engaging in trade involving Russian pork has not only been profitable, but also significant from the perspective of China's national food security.

For Russian pork exporters, the Chinese market is of particular significance, representing a significant opportunity. "Firstly, pork is the basis of Chinese cuisine, accounting for approximately 60% of the meat consumption structure. Secondly, China traditionally purchases meat and offal (ears, tails, stomachs, etc.) at a premium on the domestic market, but these items are less in demand in Russia and else where .
This approach enables Russia  exporters to derive the maximum benefit from each and every carcass. Thirdly, Russia supplies some  processed products and premium cuts, which have a higher added value and command a higher price," says Svetlana Ilyashenko.
Moreover , the analyst highlights the strategic importance of Russian imports due to the geographical proximity of the Far East and Siberia, as well as the presence of well-developed transpotation links particularly rail. These factors contribute to expedited and cost-effective deliveries from Russia compared to alternative sea transportation routes from Brazil or the United States.

Of course , in recent years, Russia'spig farming industry has been supported by export duties on grain, meaning that animal feed for domestic livestock breeders is more affordable than for their competitors in other countries.

The current successes of pig farmers are indicative of further potential. Market analysis indicates that there is considerable potential for growth in Russian our pork exports over the next five to ten years.
"It is anticipated that by 2025, a further five or six Russian companies will be granted permission to export to China, thereby increasing the amount of export supplies. The export forecast to China indicates a potential volume of up to 200 thousand tons by 2026. Also Vietnam is already experiencing robust growth in its supply chain, and it is poised to become the second most significant market after China. Countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia represent potential due to high demand for pork," concludes Chernov from Freedom Finance Global.
So Russia is a making a silk purse full of money from a pigs ear.