Protein concentrates and textured protein market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for protein concentrates and textured protein in Russia started at 10 751 t in 2018 but declined to 5 579 t by 2020. This contraction was partly driven by reduced demand from the feed protein industry, which began scaling back production from 2019. Simultaneously, stricter quality standards for protein concentrates prompted technological upgrades across the sector, temporarily constraining supply. Despite the overall drop, domestic investment in membrane and ultrafiltration technologies improved the purity and solubility of concentrates, while soybean and pea protein varieties gained ground against traditional wheat-based alternatives.

By 2021, market volume recovered to 7 778 t, though it fell again to 4 828 t in 2022. The sharp decline in 2022 was primarily due to sanctions and the exit of foreign dairy protein suppliers, which severely cut import availability. New labeling and quality requirements for protein concentrates also introduced additional compliance costs, further dampening market activity. On the production side, these pressures accelerated import substitution, with companies like Molvest launching deep processing of whey into protein concentrate and dry permeate, boosting domestic output of functional protein blends and textured soy proteins.

From 2023 onward, the market entered a growth phase, reaching 8 309 t in 2024. Production capacity continued to expand, exceeding 8 000 t by 2024, supported by ongoing investment in pea and soy protein extraction lines. The expansion reflected a broader industry shift toward locally manufactured functional protein mixtures and textured plant-based products, reducing reliance on imported concentrates.

Production protein concentrates and textured protein in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Following two years of growth, Russia's production of protein concentrates and textured protein declined. In 2021, output reached 5 286 tonnes, representing a gradual decrease of 5.8% compared to the previous year. Production increased by 12.7% between 2018 and 2021, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The peak production level was recorded in 2020 at 5 614 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 12.3% also occurring that year.

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

Exports protein concentrates and textured protein from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of protein concentrates and textured protein have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export volumes reached 6 648 tonnes, representing a 20.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports expanded by 78.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus consistently dominated Russia's export structure for protein concentrates and textured protein in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 40.2% of exports, Kazakhstan for 26.6%, and Belarus for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 75.9% of total export flows.

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

Russia's exports of protein concentrates and textured protein have increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, export value reached 8 620 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 33.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 73.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus consistently held the leading positions in Russia's export structure by value. Ukraine accounted for 28.0% of export value, Kazakhstan for 26.3%, and Belarus for 10.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 65.0% 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 protein concentrates and textured protein to Russia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Russia's imports of protein concentrates and textured protein increased. In 2021, import volume reached 8 522 tonnes, showing an uptick of 36.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 13.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 235 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year decline of 25.1% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Belarus, and Serbia were the main sources of Russia's imports of protein concentrates and textured protein in volume terms. China accounted for 60.3% of imports, Belarus for 13.7%, and Serbia for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 87.0% 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, K $ US

Following two years of reduction, Russia's imports of protein concentrates and textured protein increased. In 2021, import value reached 21 523 thousand US dollars, marking a sudden rise of 60.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 13 433 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year decline of 25.7% occurring in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Italy, and Belarus stood out as the main sources of Russia's imports by value. China accounted for 49.6% of import value, Italy for 15.0%, and Belarus for 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 74.5% 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