Russian agricultural exports to China rise 43% to $6.2 billion
Russian agricultural exports to China increased 43% to $6.2 billion in the first seven months of 2026. Frozen fish, crustaceans, rapeseed oil, soybeans and flaxseed drove the expansion, although regulatory and logistics constraints remain.
Bilateral agricultural trade reaches $8.3 billion
Agricultural trade between Russia and China increased by almost 35% in the first seven months of 2026, reaching $8.3 billion, Altapress reported. The main contribution came from Russian exports, which rose 43% to $6.2 billion.
The increase lifted Russia from eighth to seventh place among China's largest agricultural suppliers, ahead of New Zealand. Brazil remained the leading supplier, with exports of about $30 billion. Experts cited by Altapress linked stronger Chinese purchases to instability in the global food market.
Fish and crustaceans lead growth
Frozen fish generated the largest increase among the reported product categories. Shipments rose 83% in value to $1.4 billion. Russian crustacean exports to China increased 23% to $775 million.
The Russian Fish Union said pollock accounted for the main expansion in fish trade. Pollock shipments increased 25% by volume and 70% by value, indicating that higher unit values accompanied the growth in physical deliveries. The figures reinforce China's importance as a destination for Russia's fishing industry and seafood processors.
Oilseeds and rapeseed oil expand
Russia also increased sales of oilseeds and processed vegetable oils. Rapeseed oil exports to China rose 5% by volume and 20% by value, reaching $890 million. China buys almost 90% of Russia's exported rapeseed oil, leaving producers and processors heavily exposed to demand and regulatory decisions in one market.
Soybean shipments exceeded 780,000 tonnes, 2.9 times the level recorded a year earlier. Flaxseed exports reached about 600,000 tonnes, an increase of 1.7 times. The gains show that the expansion extended beyond seafood to bulk crops and processed oil products.
Protocols and transport capacity limit further trade
Market access remains dependent on veterinary and phytosanitary protocols, which must be agreed for many agricultural products. In August, China blocked rapeseed oil imports from 23 Russian enterprises after traces of genetically modified material were detected. Given China's share of Russian rapeseed oil exports, restrictions affecting approved plants can have an immediate impact on processors and traders.
Transport infrastructure presents another constraint. Altapress reported limited capacity on railways and at ports, creating potential bottlenecks as shipment volumes rise. Nevertheless, experts expect Russian agricultural exports to China for the full year to significantly exceed the 2025 level. The outlook also comes against a firm global price environment: Vedomosti reported that the FAO Food Price Index reached 131.1 points in July, its highest level since March 2022.
