Russia increases confectionery exports 8% in 2024 to 700,000 tonnes - industry association

MOSCOW. Feb 7 (Interfax) - Russia exported 700,000 tonnes of confectionery products in 2024, up 8% year-on-year, and the value of exports grew 10.3% to $1.81 billion, according to a presentation by the Association of Confectionery Industry Enterprises at the Confectionery Products of the 21st Century conference in Moscow on Thursday.

The export forecast for 2025 is 781,600 tonnes, valued at $2.07 billion.

The confectionery industry holds a significant share of Russia's overall agricultural exports, the head of the federal Agroexport center Ilya Ilyushin said at the conference. "It is the fourth or fifth largest export sector among the key industries. However, its potential surpasses that of others. We can clearly see that global demand is growing, imports are increasing, and Russian companies have great opportunities," he said.

According to his presentation, chocolate products accounted for the largest share of Russia's confectionery exports in value terms in 2024, at 48%. Flour-based products made up 39%, while sugar-based confectionery accounted for 13%.

Russia exported 253,000 tonnes of chocolate products in 2024, up 6% from 238,000 tonnes in 2023. The value of exports increased 9% to $811 million from $746 million the previous year. Exports of flour-based confectionery grew 14% from 292,000 tonnes to 332,000 tonnes, while sugar-based confectionery exports rose 6% from 82,000 tonnes to 87,000 tonnes. In value terms, flour-based exports increased 12% from $597 million to $672 million, while sugar-based exports remained at the 2023 level of $218 million.