Russia's pork producers look to become leading exporters with access to the Chinese market

Over the past 15 years, Russia has developed one of the world's most advanced pork industries, achieving self-sufficiency and becoming one of the top 5 global producers.
According to the source, Russia has created one of the most modern pork industries in the world, achieved self-sufficiency, entered the top 5 global pork producers, and has adopted an export-oriented strategy. The country now aims to enter the Chinese market after Beijing lifted restrictions the restrictions on Russian pork .
According to Yuri Kovalev, the general director of the National Union of Pig Breeders, the opening of this market, even if we manage to occupy not significant figures there, essentially doubles our exports. That is, if we reach an export level of about 150-250,000 tons within a few years, we will increase the production indicator to 500,000 tons, entering the top 5 global pork exporters..
Kovalev considers the opportunity to supply domestic pork to China as a significant historical event for the Russian pork industry.
In the previous year, Russia sold about 250,000 tons of pork, which accounts for approximately 5% of its production. However, it did not have access to the Chinese market, which is the largest in the world and consumes approximately 55 million tons of pork. Kovalev clarified that Russia is currently ranked 7-8th among pork exporters.
However, he noted that Russia will face significant competition in the Chinese market from the US, Canada, Brazil, Denmark, and Spain.
In September 2023, China lifted restrictions that had been in place against Russia since 2008 due to concerns over African Swine Fever.

By the end of February 2024, three Russian pork enterprises had been certified by the Chinese competent authority for export to China. On March 7, Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) supervised the shipment of the first batch of Russian pork by-products.
Fesco Transport Group has reported that the first batch of Russian pork is expected to arrive in China on April 11, with a total delivery time of approximately 35 days.