Forage products market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the forage products market in Belarus experienced notable fluctuations, beginning with a volume of 38 186 tons in 2018. The market grew to a peak of 40 910 tons in 2021, largely due to state support programs for agriculture and a strategic shift toward domestic feed additive production, accelerated by import restrictions and sanctions that prompted localization.

Following the 2021 peak, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 32 805 tons by 2023. This decline coincided with financial difficulties at major dairy processors, which likely dampened demand for forage inputs, despite ongoing industry modernization and the development of new specialized feed segments.

In 2024, industry data pointed to a resurgence in production, with ready‑made feed output rising 6%, premixes by 8%, and concentrates by 7%. This activity was supported by a new law enacting state aid for feed manufacturers and the expansion of Belarusian companies, such as BNBC, into the Russian market with products like lysine sulfate.

Production forage products in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Belarus ranked as the 7th largest producer of forage products from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of forage products, 2017-2020

World map of production of forage products, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Belarus's forage products production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 39 963 tonnes of forage products, representing a 13.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 34.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 13.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 35 074 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring in 2018 at 36.9%.

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

Exports forage products from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

Belarus's forage products exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3 260 tonnes, up by 22.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 901.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 115.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany were the primary buyers of forage products from Belarus, accounting for 37.0%, 31.4%, and 27.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 96.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Belarus's forage products exports in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 2 405 thousand US dollars, marking an 89.9% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 390.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 69.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland and the Netherlands dominated as the main buyers of forage products from Belarus in value terms, together accounting for 82.5% of total exports. Other partners played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports forage products to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

The import market for forage products in Belarus showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 at 4 202 tonnes and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with an 11-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 857 tonnes, a sharp decline of 79.6% from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019 at 606.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus's imports of forage products were heavily reliant on Russia, which accounted for 98.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms was characterized by volatility. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 at 1 112 thousand US dollars and their lowest in 2018 at 110 thousand US dollars, showing a 10.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 358 thousand US dollars, down by 67.8% from the previous year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 914.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus's imports of forage products were largely oriented towards Russia, which held a 96.3% share of total imports in value terms.

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

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