Soybean flours and meals market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian soybean flours and meals market contracted in 2019 to 49.7 thousand tons, a decline partly linked to reduced demand for soybean flour that year. A recovery began in 2020, supported by rising global soybean meal consumption and increased meal imports into Russia, pushing the market volume to 57.8 thousand tons. By 2021, the market reached 59.1 thousand tons, aided by a 6.5% increase in domestic soybean meal production, even as the industry continued to face a shortage of high-quality domestic soybeans.

A major expansion occurred from 2022 onward, with the market volume surging to 75.3 thousand tons in 2023 and 81.6 thousand tons in 2024. This growth was driven by increased soybean planting areas across Russia, which expanded the raw material base for processing. The earlier 2017 commissioning of the Davydovskiye Prostory oil extraction plant, with a capacity of 4.8 thousand tons of meal per month, added significant production capacity. A concerted shift to minimize meal imports and boost the share of domestic products, amid currency fluctuations and sanctions, further stimulated local output. Rising exports of soybean meal to countries like China, Uzbekistan, and Turkey provided additional support for production volumes.

Domestic soybean meal production continued to rise, peaking at 84.8 thousand tons in 2024 before easing to 77.1 thousand tons in 2025. Throughout the period, the market contended with persistent challenges, including reliance on imported soybeans due to insufficient domestic high-quality supply and the impact of weather conditions on meal quality.

Production soybean flours and meals in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Soybean flour and meal production in Russia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Russia produced 61 966 tonnes of soybean flours and meals, marking a 3.2% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 51 378 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 25.1%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 16.8%.

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

Exports soybean flours and meals from Russia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, soybean flour and meal exports from Russia have increased. In 2021, exports reached 3 059 tonnes, showing a 0.7% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 10.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 3 038 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus effectively monopolized Russia's soybean flour and meal exports in kind, accounting for 98.6% of total 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

After a two-year decline, soybean flour and meal shipments from Russia to abroad have increased. In 2021, exports totaled 2 088 thousand US dollars, which is 30.6% higher than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 599 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus effectively monopolized Russia's soybean flour and meal exports in value terms, taking 97.8% of total 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 soybean flours and meals to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Soybean flour and meal imports into Russia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume was recorded at 250 tonnes, which is 17.5% lower compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 12%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 345 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 54.3%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Austria concentrated almost all soybean flour and meal imports in kind to Russia, with a share of 95.5% of total 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

Imported soybean flour and meal volumes into Russia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Russia imported a total of 249 thousand US dollars of soybean flours and meals, which is 7.4% lower compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 299 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 10.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 44.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the partner base for imports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Austria alone responsible for 96.5% of total flows.

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

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