Russian chocolate confectionery export revenue rises 18% in H1 2026

Export revenue reaches $400 million

Russia exported about 82,000 tonnes of chocolate confectionery in the first half of 2026, generating revenue of $400 million, according to Agroexport figures reported by Rambler Finance. The value of shipments increased 18% from the same period of 2025. The available data do not provide a year-on-year change in physical volume, so the reported growth refers specifically to export revenue.

The figures show that Russian chocolate producers maintained a substantial presence outside the domestic market during the period. With buyers in more than 75 countries, the sector has a geographically broad customer base, although its largest destinations remain concentrated in neighboring markets. The combination of an 18% increase in value and shipments of approximately 82,000 tonnes indicates stronger foreign sales, but the published information does not separate the effect of prices, product mix and volume.

Neighboring countries remain the core markets

Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan were the five largest importers of Russian chocolate confectionery in the first half of 2026. These markets benefit from established commercial ties and relatively short transport routes. Their importance also means that demand conditions in the former Soviet region remain central to the performance of Russian confectionery exporters.

TASS reported that export revenue from shipments to Kazakhstan rose 30%, while sales to Belarus increased 32%. Revenue from Uzbekistan grew 19%, and Kyrgyzstan recorded an 18% increase. These rates show that growth was distributed across several major destinations rather than depending on a single buyer. Azerbaijan remained in the top five, although the source material did not specify its growth rate or purchase value.

Turkey provides the strongest expansion signal

Turkey recorded the most notable increase in deliveries during the first half. Russia had already shipped more chocolate confectionery to the Turkish market in six months than during the whole of 2025, according to Agroexport. No precise volume or value was disclosed for Turkey, but the comparison identifies it as an emerging growth destination beyond Russia's traditional neighboring markets.

For producers and distributors, Turkey's expansion may offer an additional sales channel and reduce dependence on the five leading regional buyers. At the same time, the current destination mix remains heavily oriented toward nearby countries. Exporters will therefore need to manage different logistics, retail requirements and competitive conditions as they pursue markets farther from Russia.

Industry focus turns to the durability of growth

The first-half result gives Russian chocolate manufacturers a stronger revenue base for 2026, but the available figures do not yet establish whether the increase was driven mainly by higher quantities or higher unit values. That distinction will matter to processors purchasing cocoa-based inputs, as well as to wholesalers assessing consumer demand. Full-year data will also show whether the rapid expansion in Turkey can be sustained and whether growth in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan continues at similar rates.