Expert sees Russian pork exports jumping 40% to 318,000 tonnes in 2024

MOSCOW. June 18 (Interfax) - Russia could export 318,000 tonnes of pork in 2024, which would be 40% more than the 223,000 tonnes exported in 2023, the chief analyst at Russian Agricultural Bank, Andrei Dalnov forecast in a press release from the bank.

Exports will grow in part thanks to the opening of the Chinese market, shipments to which could total about 60,000 tonnes, he said.

Russian pork exports surged by 13.3 times to 223,000 tonnes in the period from 2014 to 2023. In this period, pork production in Russia grew by almost 60% to 4.628 million tonnes in 2023 after reaching 4.532 million tonnes in 2022, and is forecast to increase to 4.986 million tonnes in 2024.

"Russian pig farmers fully meet the needs of the domestic market and excess amounts are exported," Dalnov said. Per capita pork consumption in Russia will increase to 31.9 kg in 2024 from 30.3 kg in 2023, he forecast.

"Pork consumption in Russia has been steadily rising since 2014, increasing 29.4% by the start of 2024. The figure exceeded 30 kg for the first time in 2023 and it could near 32 kg in 2024," Dalnov said.

He expects pork to almost catch up to the leader in Russians' meat basket, broiler chicken, this year. Consumption of the meat is increasing thanks to the growth of real household incomes and the expansion of supply, Dalnov said.