Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian beef, sheep, and goat fat market volume contracted from 101 407 tons in 2018 to 91 462 tons by 2020. This decline was primarily driven by a continuous reduction in livestock herds, with cattle numbers falling by 0.4% and sheep and goats by 6.1% in 2018, followed by a further 0.8% drop in cattle in 2019. The absence of new large-scale investment projects in animal husbandry during this period limited production expansion, while the introduction of new veterinary regulations for cattle in October 2020 added operational complexity for producers.

Market volume recovered to 97 021 tons in 2021, supported by steady annual growth in cattle meat production which boosted demand for associated fats. The expansion of export rights for 32 types of livestock products to 39 countries in 2022, including hides and cattle meat, provided new sales channels, helping the market stabilize at 97 625 tons that year despite ongoing herd reduction pressures. Furthermore, the continued implementation of state procurement programs for beef fat helped maintain a baseline of demand.

The market contracted again to 90 085 tons in 2023. This was influenced by a significant increase in live cattle exports, which reduced the domestic herd available for processing, and the sustained impact of geopolitical risks and sanctions affecting trade flows. The period also saw a steady decline in imports, from 14 791 tons in 2019 to 9 109 tons by 2024, reflecting a broader shift in supply patterns.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Russia ranked as the 18th largest producer of beef, sheep, or goat fat from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

Russia's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 78 832 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 4.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Russia's production value of beef, sheep, or goat fat dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 71.5 million US dollars, showing a significant year-on-year decrease of 16.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 37.3%, with an average annual drop of 14.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 116.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 26.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia's export volume of beef, sheep, or goat fat was 493 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to the prior year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 106 tonnes. The largest decline happened in 2018 at 31.0%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 365.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan (42.9% of exports in kind), Ukraine (20.5%), and Hong Kong (12.8%) were the top destinations for Russia's exports in kind, together accounting for 76.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Export values bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia's export value of beef, sheep, or goat fat was 447 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid drop of 13.4% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 141 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 516 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 29.3%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 266.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Kazakhstan (29.4% of exports in value terms), Hong Kong (24.2%), and Ukraine (18.9%) formed the main cluster of markets for Russia's exports in value terms, with a combined share of 72.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Russia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Russia's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat totalled 13 123 tonnes, indicating a robust drop of 11.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus (52.1% of imports in kind), Paraguay (19.2%), and Argentina (12.6%) were the principal sources for Russia's imports in kind, jointly accounting for 84.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia imported approximately 12 244 thousand US dollars worth of beef, sheep, or goat fat, representing a limited decrease of 6.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 11.5%, with an average annual drop of 4.0%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 8.7%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Belarus (54.4% of imports in value terms), Paraguay (17.4%), and Argentina (11.6%) played the leading roles in Russia's imports in value terms of beef, sheep, or goat fat, jointly taking 83.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020