Russian meat exporters are looking to overcome the challenges brought by Western sanctions by prioritizing the Chinese market, which stands as the top importer of Russian poultry and beef.
In 2024, Russia's exports of meat and by-products increased by 24 percent compared to the previous year, reaching a record of 1.7 billion U.S. dollars. These exports consisted of about 48 percent poultry, 37 percent pork, and 14 percent beef, according to the Russian Agriculture Ministry's Agroexport Center.
Additionally, market experts at the center project that Russian meat exports could surpass 3.6 billion dollars by 2030, nearly doubling the current levels.
"The hard limit for any agricultural export and even growth is actually the amount of arable lands, and for Russia with arable land of exceeding 120 million hectares, (it) definitely has no limitations for any export growth. So, may be realistically we do expect that the volumes may grow by an estimated 200,000 or 300,000 tons per year and corresponding growth of value, maybe growth to over 1 billion dollars or maybe more," said Alexey Kletsko, director of Yakov and Partners, an international consulting company in Russia.
Moreover, Russia's meat exports to China have been on the rise.
In the past year, Russian meat sales to China increased by 14 percent, amounting to 560 million U.S. dollars. Notably, the most significant surge was noted in chicken exports, which saw a remarkable growth of about 50 percent.
These growths come at a time when Russia is trying to overcome Western sanctions.
Russian producers have expressed their commitment to expanding product ranges and diversifying delivery methods in this regard.
"Miratorg is No. 1 producer of beef and pork in Russia both in terms of quality and volume. We are actively developing exports, and supply to more than 45 countries of the world and exports to China have an approximately 30 percent share. China is No. 1 priority for us," said Viktor Linnik, president of Miratorg, the top Russian producer of pork, marble beef and premium food.
Russia's meat exporters look to overcome Western sanctions by prioritizing China market
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said China hopes the British side will provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment, and foster a sound atmosphere for the development of bilateral ties and the deepening of cooperation between the two countries.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding the 11th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in Beijing.
Noting that the leaders of both sides agreed to develop a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China at the beginning of this year, Wang said that at present, exchanges and cooperation in all fields between the two countries have been fully restored and are gradually getting back on track.
Wang said both sides should work to strengthen communication, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, uphold to the positioning of China-UK ties as a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen high-level exchanges, and promote the achievement of more practical and tangible results to jointly contribute to world peace, stability, prosperity and development.
The outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) is not only China's domestic development blueprint but also an opportunity list for the rest of the world, Wang said, adding that it is highly aligned with UK's modern industrial strategy, calling on both sides to seize opportunities for mutual success.
As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the UK should take the lead in following the right and impartial path, safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II, abide by the UN Charter, adhere to true multilateralism, and jointly promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, Wang noted.
Cooper said that the long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership is of great significance and in line with the interests of both sides. At a time when the international situation is turbulent and complex, it is more important than ever for the UK and China to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to jointly address global challenges, she added.
The UK is willing to work with the Chinese side to promote institutional dialogue, and deepen cooperation in economy and trade, finance, energy, artificial intelligence, climate change and other fields, said Cooper.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, the policy pursued by the UK on the Taiwan issue has remained unchanged and will not change, Cooper said, adding that the British side is willing to continue to engage in candid dialogue with the Chinese side, handle differences constructively and properly, and promote the healthy and stable development of UK-China relations.
China hopes for sound atmosphere to boost China-UK ties, deepen cooperation: FM
