Russian confectionery exports rose 14% to more than $2 billion in 2025
Russia’s confectionery exports increased by 14% and exceeded $2 billion in 2025, according to the Russian Export Center. China remained a prominent market, with demand for Russian chocolate and biscuits, while export growth reportedly continued at a high rate in 2026.
Export revenue exceeds $2 billion
Russian confectionery exports increased by 14% in 2025 and generated more than $2 billion, Russian Export Center chief Veronika Nikishina said in an interview with RIA Novosti reported by Life.ru, Vzglyad and KP.RU. Nikishina also said that exports were maintaining high growth rates in 2026, although the available reports did not provide a value, volume figure or year-to-date comparison for the current year.
The result indicates continued foreign demand for Russian processed food at a time when the country is seeking to increase the share of higher-value products in its export mix. Confectionery gives manufacturers an opportunity to sell branded and processed goods rather than agricultural raw materials, but the reported total combines different product groups and does not show how much of the growth came from prices, shipment volumes or changes in product mix.
China supports demand for finished food
China was identified as one of the most visible buyers. According to Nikishina, Chinese consumers particularly value Russian chocolate and biscuits. Life.ru and KP.RU also listed honey and ice cream among products attracting demand, while Life.ru and Vzglyad included oat flakes. The sources did not disclose China’s share of the more than $2 billion total or rank other confectionery destinations.
The range matters for exporters because chocolate, biscuits and adjacent packaged foods require different supply chains, storage conditions and retail channels. Chocolate producers are exposed to cocoa and sugar costs, biscuit makers depend heavily on flour and edible fats, and ice cream requires temperature-controlled logistics. Without a breakdown by category, it is not possible to determine which segment contributed most to the 14% increase.
Vzglyad separately reported that Russian food products are consumed in more than 160 countries. That figure describes the broader food sector, rather than confectionery alone, but it points to an established geographical base for Russian suppliers. The publication also said Germany was Russia’s largest foreign supplier of sweets in 2025, showing that the domestic market simultaneously exports confectionery and continues to buy imported products.
Momentum depends on volumes, costs and market access
The reports provide no data on export tonnage, average prices, individual company sales or destination-level growth. This limits any assessment of whether the 14% increase represented greater physical shipments or higher unit values. It also leaves unanswered whether growth was concentrated in China or spread across multiple markets.
For producers and traders, the claim that high growth continued in 2026 is an early positive signal rather than a complete forecast. Its sustainability will depend on input costs, manufacturing capacity, logistics and access to retail distribution in destination countries. Further customs data by HS category and destination will be needed to establish whether Russian exporters are gaining durable market share in chocolate and biscuits or benefiting from a shorter-term change in prices and sales composition.
