Russia's Agriculture Ministry directing agro businesses toward actively diversifying exports

MOSCOW. Dec 13 (Interfax) - Russia's agro businesses must diversify exports of products more actively in order to fulfill the Russian president's task to boost supplies abroad, Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Levin said.

"We would not be able to fulfill the task set only owing to those positions in which we have traditionally been and remain a global leader. I mean the grain, oil and fat, and fish industries. It is necessary to ensure product diversification, and this is already happening. Consequently, 2024 has been characterized by accelerated growth in the export of meat and dairy products, though not only," Levin said at the Russia Agroexport 2024-2025 strategic session.

Levin also reminded that the Russian president has set the goal of boosting agricultural exports 1.5-fold to $55 billion by 2030 compared to 2021.

"This would allow Russia to enter the top ten of the largest food exporters. The goal is ambitious, though quite attainable," he said.

Levin believes that it is necessary to restructure production and business processes, as well as increase exports of highly value-added goods, in order to develop exports going forward.

"It is necessary to gain a foothold in priority markets, intensify the promotion of individual brands, as well as solidify the positioning and perception of Russian food products in general, and adapt products to the requirements of specific markets," he said.

Levin said that the first, six-year cycle of the Exporting Agricultural Products federal project is concluding this December, during which a comprehensive system to support and develop agricultural exports has been created, including all the necessary elements.

"These include financial measures for government support, as well as the institute of agricultural attachés, the [Agriculture Ministry's] Agroexport center's established knowledge and expertise base, and the system for training personnel based at the MGIMO [Moscow State University of Foreign Affairs] Institute of Global Agricultural Markets," he said, noting that this has been conducted in "far from the easiest years for the global economy and Russian exports".

"Despite the pandemic and sanctions, Russian food exporting companies have been able to occupy significant positions in global agricultural markets," Levin said.

Russia exported agricultural products totaling $43.5 billion in 2023.

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