Potential for Russian turkey exports to UAE put at $10 mln per year

MOSCOW. July 26 (Interfax) - Russia has the potential to export 2,000-2,500 tonnes of turkey worth $9 million-$10 million to the United Arab Emirates per year, the Agroexport Center estimated in a report.

Russian producers' main competitors on this market are Turkey, Brazil, the United States, Canada and European countries, the center said.

However, Russia increased turkey exports to the UAE to $6.7 million in 2022 from $4.2 million in 2021 and became the top supplier to this market by value, with a 46.8% share of the country's total turkey imports, which amounted to $14.3 million. Turkey was second with $5.8 million, or 40.3% of the total.

By volume, Russia moved up to second place with 1,600 tonnes or 35.9% of the UAE's total turkey imports, up from 1,100 tonnes in 2021. Turkey became the leader with 2,300 tonnes or 51.1%, up from 1,900 tonnes in 2021. The UAE imported a total of 4,400 tonnes of turkey in 2022, down from 4,700 tonnes a year earlier. The top five suppliers also included Brazil, the U.S. and Canada with, respectively, 2.4%, 2.3% and 2.3% of the market.

The average price of imported turkey in the UAE fell 10% to $3,231 per tonne in 2022, the report said. The most expensive product came from New Zealand and the Netherlands and cost, respectively, 97.8% and 47.2% more than the average import price. The lowest-priced product came from Portugal and Canada and cost, respectively, 63% and 58.4% less than the average price. Russian turkey was sold at $4,212 per tonne, which was 30.4% higher than the average import price in 2022.

Per capita turkey consumption in the UAE rose 9.1% to 0.42 kg in 2022. "Despite the relatively low figures, the country is seeing an upward trend in the popularity of this type of meat among consumers. For example, annual growth of average per capita consumption averaged 11.8% in 2017-2022," Agroexport said.

Trade in agribusiness products between Russia and the UAE grew by 24.9% to $179.7 million in 2022, as Russian exports rose 37.2% to $148.6 million on the back of wheat, poultry and soybean oil exports. Russian imports from the UAE slumped 12.7% to $31.1 million due to the suspension of beet and cane sugar imports and a decline in imports of non-alcoholic beverages, except water and juice, as well as cigars and cigarettes.

It was reported earlier that Russia increased production of turkey meat to 415,000 tonnes in 2022 from 400,000 tonnes in 2021, becoming the largest producer in Europe. The country could increase production to 440,000-450,000 tonnes this year, and to 600,000-650,000 tonnes by 2030, consulting agency Agrifood Strategies forecast.