Russia’s rusk and crouton exports rise 9% in first half of 2026
Russia exported about 8,700 tonnes of rusks and croutons worth more than $25 million in January–June 2026. Shipments rose 9% by volume and 19% by value, with Kazakhstan and Belarus among the leading buyers.
Export value grows faster than volume
Russia increased exports of rusks and croutons in both physical and monetary terms during the first half of 2026, according to figures published by the federal Agroexport center. Shipments in January–June reached about 8,700 tonnes and were valued at more than $25 million.
Compared with the same period of 2025, export volume increased by 9%, while export value rose by 19%. The stronger increase in revenue means that the value generated by the product category grew faster than the quantity shipped. The available figures do not specify whether that difference resulted from changes in product mix, contract prices, destination markets or other factors.
The data remain preliminary because they exclude June trade with the Eurasian Economic Union. That qualification is material for interpreting the total: Belarus and Kazakhstan, two of the principal destinations identified by Agroexport, are members of the bloc. Final data incorporating those flows may therefore alter the reported volume and value for the six-month period.
Nearby countries lead demand
Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan were the largest buyers of Russian rusks and croutons, Agroexport reported. The list shows that neighboring and other nearby markets remain central to the trade. Shorter transport routes and established commercial links give these destinations a practical role for producers and distributors handling packaged dried-bread products.
Kubanskie Novosti identified Kazakhstan and Belarus as the leading purchasers. Agroexport did not provide a breakdown of tonnes or export revenue by destination, so the relative size of each national market cannot be determined from the published information. The figures nevertheless indicate that sales are spread across several countries rather than being attributed to a single buyer.
For Russian manufacturers, growth across these regional destinations expands the addressable market beyond domestic retail. For importers and distributors, a 9% increase in physical shipments points to greater availability of Russian products. The 19% rise in value, however, also makes contract pricing and product composition important issues when assessing demand and margins.
Shipments resume to Libya
Russia also resumed exports of rusks and croutons to Libya for the first time since 2021. Neither Agroexport nor the publications carrying its figures disclosed the volume or value of the renewed trade. The reopening therefore represents an expansion in market coverage, but the available data do not establish whether Libya has yet become a significant destination.
Russian rusks and croutons are now exported to more than 50 countries. This broad geographic reach gives suppliers access to markets beyond the main group of neighboring buyers, while the concentration of leading destinations in the near abroad underlines the continuing importance of regional demand.
The first-half results provide evidence of growth for Russia’s processed dried-bread exports, but the missing June data for Eurasian Economic Union trade limit direct comparisons. Producers, traders and market analysts will need the completed statistics to determine the final scale of expansion and how much of the increase came from the largest regional customers.
