Beef and buffalo meat market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Russian beef and buffalo meat market contracted, with volume falling from 639 thousand tons to 579 thousand tons. This decline was driven by reduced consumer purchasing power, which shifted demand toward cheaper poultry and pork, and by the COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020, which further dampened consumption and raised production costs due to higher feed prices. Simultaneously, beef exports began to grow sharply, supported by state‑owned entities like the Center for Agroanalytics, diverting more domestic production away from the local market.

The market stabilized around 580‑582 thousand tons in 2021‑2022, as regulatory measures aimed at curbing prices were introduced, including duty‑free import quotas for 200 thousand tons of beef and the abolition of tariff quotas. New mandatory labeling requirements for meat products also came into force. Despite financial losses reported by some major producers, exports continued to expand rapidly, reaching 0.743 million tons in 2023. This export growth, coupled with a recovery in consumption, helped push market volume up to 647 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, market volume had climbed to 694 thousand tons, even as the cattle herd shrank, creating supply tensions. Production kept rising, supported by state‑backed import substitution policies. The market in 2025 continued to be influenced by the phased implementation of stricter labeling rules and ongoing government support for the sector.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

Beef and buffalo meat production in Russia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Russia produced 400.7 K t of beef and buffalo meat, marking an 18.4% rise compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 34.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat exports from Russia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 32.4 K t, showing a sharp improvement of 101.2% from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 654.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 96.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, China, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan were the principal buyers of beef and buffalo meat from Russia, accounting for 49.7%, 11.2%, and 9.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 70.5% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's beef and buffalo meat exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 216 M $ US, reflecting an uptick of 145.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 1 061.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 126.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, China, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan played the leading roles in the value of beef and buffalo meat exports from Russia, with shares of 54.8%, 11.9%, and 7.3% of exports in value terms, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 74.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Russia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 214.3 K t, representing an 18.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 37.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Paraguay, and Brazil were the key partners for beef and buffalo meat imports into Russia, accounting for 37.6%, 30.2%, and 13.1% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 80.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of beef and buffalo meat into Russia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 867 M $ US, showing a gradual reduction of 7.0% from the year earlier. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 31.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Paraguay, and Brazil formed the main cluster of markets for beef and buffalo meat imports into Russia in value terms, with shares of 37.3%, 30.6%, and 13.1%, respectively. Their combined share accounted for 80.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021