Peat market in Russia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian peat market grew from 1.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2021, driven by the state energy strategy aiming to increase peat's share in regional fuel balances and import substitution policies that boosted domestic consumption. Major producers like ZAO 'Vyatka-Torf' expanded output, supported by government backing. A temporary dip to 1.2 million tonnes in 2020 reflected global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sanctions from 2019 onward drastically reduced exports, which fell from 356 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 62 thousand tonnes in 2023. This redirected supply to the domestic market, contributing to a surge in consumption, which peaked at 2.4 million tonnes in 2023. During this period, production also rose steadily, reaching 2.5 million tonnes in 2023.

Market volume then contracted to 1.7 million tonnes in 2024, with production falling to 1.4 million tonnes in 2025, indicating a significant downturn in the latter part of the period.

Production peat in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's peat production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 2 095 K t of peat, which represents a 39.0% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 59.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 16.7%.

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

Exports peat from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's peat exports have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, export volumes reached 356.3 K t, marking a 31.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 126.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 31.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Finland were the top buyers of Russian peat, accounting for 21.5%, 17.7%, and 13.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 52.5% of total exports in kind during this period.

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, K $ US

Peat exports from Russia have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the value of exports amounted to 33 583 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 46.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 155.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.7%.

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

The structure of peat exports in value terms from 2018 to 2021 reveals a diverse set of trading partners. Germany, China, and Poland accounted for 22.3%, 13.7%, and 11.8% of exports in value, respectively, totaling 47.9% of the overall flows. The remaining 52.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports peat to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia's peat imports in 2021 stood at approximately 44.3 K t, down by 19.2% year-on-year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 40.3 K t, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 54.9 K t. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2020, with a rise of 36.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the main sources of peat imports to Russia in kind were Belarus, Armenia, and Poland, contributing 45.8%, 19.8%, and 9.0% of imports, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 74.5% of total import flows in kind.

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, K $ US

In 2021, the value of peat imports into Russia was 4 800 K $ US, reflecting a significant decline of 17.4% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 12%, with an annualized rate of -4.2%. The highest import value was in 2020 at 5 814 K $ US, which saw the largest increase of 11.4% year-on-year.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Belarus, Armenia, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of peat to Russia in value terms, accounting for 28.0%, 17.8%, and 8.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 54.7% of total imports in value.

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

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