Meat (Russian market)

Market segments

• Beef (Russian market)

Export and Import

• Main article: Meat exports and imports in Russia
• Main article: Production, export and import of sausage products in Russia

Animal husbandry in Russia

Main article: Animal husbandry in Russia

Chronicle

2025: Deep meat processing plant launched in Stavropol Territory for ₽7 billion

In February 2025, a new August meat processing plant, owned by the Resource group of agricultural enterprises, began work in Nevinnomyssk. The production capacity of the enterprise is 10 thousand tons of products per month, and the volume of investments in the project reached ₽7 billion. The company is the largest producer of broiler chicken meat in Russia. Read more here.

2024

5 largest turkey producers in Russia

The National Association of Turkey Producers (NAPI) in February 2025 published a rating of the largest turkey producers in Russia in 2024. The leading position was taken by the Damate group of companies with a production volume of 241.5 thousand tons in slaughter weight.

According to Agricultural News, the five largest turkey producers include:

• Damate Group of Companies - 241.5 thousand tons.
• Cherkizovo Group of Companies - 65.9 thousand tons.
• SoyuzPromBird - 30.1 thousand tons.
• Ruskom Group of Companies - 20.3 thousand tons.
• "Agro-plus" - 10.9 thousand tons.

5 largest turkey producers in Russia

Albert Davleev, president of the AGRIFUD Stretegis consulting agency, notes that the demand for turkey significantly exceeds supply. This became especially noticeable in the third quarter of 2024, when leading companies began to modernize production facilities.

NAPI Executive Director Anatoly Velmatov spoke about expanding the production capabilities of market leaders. GC "Damate" and "Agro-plus" are developing new feeding sites and breeding producers in the Penza, Tyumen regions and Stavropol Territory.

In 2024, companies increased export supplies. Damate Group of Companies entered the Saudi market through the Prime Markets network, and Agro-Plus began deliveries to the Emirati LuLu network. Russia's share in the turkey market in Saudi Arabia reached 45%.

The companies actively invest in biosafety and biosecurity programs on farms, conduct constant laboratory monitoring with the participation of specialists from regional veterinary services and Rosselkhoznadzor.

NAPI creates a Technical Committee with the participation of representatives of veterinary and quality services of leading manufacturers for more effective interaction with government agencies and within the industry.

The share of the five largest producers in the total turkey production is 85%. At the same time, the share of personal subsidiary and peasant farms accounts for about 6% of the market.^[1]

Increase in turkey meat production by 3.8% to 438 thousand tons in slaughter weight

Turkey meat production in Russia in 2024 increased by 3.8%, reaching 438 thousand tons in slaughter weight. This allowed the country to maintain the status of the largest producer in Europe and take second place in the world. This was announced in February 2025 by the National Turkey Producers Association (NAPI) and the consulting agency Agrifood Strategies. Experts note that the growth is ensured by an increase in the capacity of large agricultural holdings and an expansion of domestic demand.

According to Finmarket, the growth rate of turkey production was almost twice the average for poultry, which, according to the National Union of Poultry Farmers, amounted to 2.1%.

Russia increased turkey meat production and ranked second in the world

Agrifood Strategies President Albert Davleev notes the excess of demand over supply, especially in the third quarter of 2024, when leading companies began an active phase of production modernization.

NAPI Executive Director Anatoly Velmatov announced the expansion of production capacities by leading companies in the industry. GC "Damate" and "Agro-plus" create new feeding sites and breeding producers in the Penza, Tyumen regions and Stavropol Territory. Regional companies increased supplies by 5-10%, and Tatarstan's Ak-Bars - three times.

According to the IMIT news agency, the export of turkey products increased by 8% and amounted to 27.7 thousand tons. The geography of supplies covers 37 countries. The largest importer was China (59.5% of exports), where 16 thousand tons of products were delivered, which is 1.7 times more than in 2023.

In 2024, the Russian turkey entered the retail markets of the Middle East. Damate began deliveries to the Prime Markets network in Saudi Arabia, and Agro-plus to the Emirati LuLu network. Saudi Arabia increased imports to 750 tons, where Russia's share reached 45% of the market.

In the next five years, turkey production in Russia can reach 650-700 thousand tons. The share of turkey in the total production of poultry meat was 8%, in exports - 6%.^[2]

Ranking of the largest poultry producers

The National Union of Poultry Farmers in February 2025 presented a rating of the largest poultry producers in Russia at the end of 2024. According to the published data, GAAP Resurs, Cherkizovo Group of Companies and Prioskole Group of Companies continue to hold leading positions in the industry. The total production of broiler meat at these three largest enterprises exceeded 2.5 million tons in live weight.

The largest production volume in 2024 was recorded at the Resource CAP, which reached 1.07 million tons. Next comes Cherkizovo Group of Companies with an indicator of 1.051 million tons. Closes the top three of the Prioskole Group of Companies, which produced 453 thousand tons of products. The five largest producers also included Agrocomplex Group of Companies named after N.I. Tkachev, whose production capacities made it possible to produce 436 thousand tons of poultry meat, and Belgrankorm with a production volume of 273 thousand tons.

The top ten largest producers of poultry meat in Russia also include such companies as Severnaya Poultry Farm (263 thousand tons), Miratorg APH (182 thousand tons), Agrosila holding (158 thousand tons), Chamzinskaya Poultry Farm (156 thousand tons) and PRODO Group of Companies (128 thousand tons). According to the Poultry Union, the number of producers with the largest production growth in 2024 included integrated agricultural holdings with a full processing cycle. In particular, Cherkizovo Group of Companies in December 2024 included SIBAGRO Holding, which, according to analysts, may affect the redistribution of market shares in 2025.

The segment of medium-sized producers is headed by the Ural Agro-Industrial Group, whose production amounted to 103 thousand tons. Next come the Oktyabrskaya agricultural company (99 thousand tons), the Siberian Premier agricultural holding (91 thousand tons), the Sitno company (90 thousand tons) and Ekoptitsa (84 thousand tons). The number of producers with a volume of less than 80 thousand tons included Elinar-Broiler (71 thousand tons), the Russkoye Pole agricultural holding (66 thousand tons), Ak Bars Holding (62 thousand tons) and Ruskom (56 thousand tons). At the bottom of the rating are Yaroslavl Broiler (54 thousand tons), Udmurt Poultry Farm (53 thousand tons) and Krasnodar Poultry Farm (46 thousand tons). Close the list of companies "Mega Yurma" (44 thousand tons), "Volovsky Broiler" (42 thousand tons) and SIBAGRO Holding (37 thousand tons).^[3]

Increase in meat consumption to 83 kg per capita

Rosselkhozbank recorded a historical maximum of meat consumption in Russia, reaching 83 kg per capita in 2024. This is evidenced by research data published in early February 2025. An increase in the consumption of pork and broiler meat made a significant contribution to this indicator.

According to the Fat and Oil Union of Russia, pork consumption has reached 32 kg per capita, and broiler meat - more than 33 kg. At the same time, the production of turkey meat set a new record, amounting to 435 thousand tons.

Meat consumption in Russia for the year increased to a new record

Yuri Kovalev, Director General of the National Union of Pig Farmers, attributes the increase in demand for pork to an increase in household incomes in the regions and a lower increase in prices for this type of meat compared to other food products. Reducing the price difference between poultry meat and pork led to an additional redistribution of consumer demand.

NSP General Director Sergei Lakhtyukhov notes the lack of new projects in poultry farming over the past five years. The increase in production is ensured solely due to the reconstruction of existing enterprises, while in 2024 the restriction of the work of sites in the border areas had a negative impact.

Andrei Dalnov, chief industry analyst at the Rosselkhozbank Center for Industry Expertise, emphasizes that the growth in production in the meat industry is accompanied by positive changes in crop production. Increasing the production of feed crops contributes to the formation of a more sustainable base for animal husbandry.

In the food industry, record figures were also recorded. The production of sausages exceeded 2.5 million tons, which is due to the growing demand for meat products. Producers are increasing the use of pork in recipes due to limited supply and high prices for poultry meat.^[4]

Growth in livestock and poultry production for slaughter to 16.74 million tons

The Ministry of Agriculture of Russia recorded a historical maximum of livestock and poultry production for slaughter, reaching 16.74 million tons in 2024. This figure was a record in the entire history of Russia and the USSR. The data was published in January 2025.

According to TASS, it was possible to achieve special success in the production of pork and poultry meat, where historical records were also set - 6.2 million tons and 7.1 million tons, respectively. Russia's self-sufficiency in meat and meat products exceeded 100%.

Livestock and poultry production for slaughter in Russia has grown to a new record

The development of the livestock industry contributed to a significant increase in the production of processed products. For the period from January to November 2024, the production of sausages increased by 1.9% and amounted to 2.3 million tons. The production of semi-finished meat products increased by 5% to 4.5 million tons.

The volume of production of canned meat also showed positive dynamics, increasing by 1.2% and reaching 833 thousand tons. This indicates the stable development of the meat processing industry and the expansion of the range of products.

The Ministry of Agriculture notes that the achieved indicators are the result of systematic work to develop the livestock industry and modernize production facilities. Particular attention is paid to the introduction of modern technologies for raising livestock and poultry.

The increase in the production of meat and meat products made it possible not only to fully meet the country's domestic needs, but also to create significant export potential. The development of the meat industry continues to be one of the priority areas of the agro-industrial complex of Russia. The growth of production covered all the main categories of farms, including both large agro-industrial complexes and farms.^[5]

2023

Production growth of meat semi-finished products by 5.8% to 4.65 million tons

In 2023, the production of semi-finished meat products in Russia increased by 5.8% compared to the previous year - from 4.4 million tons to 4.65 million tons. At the same time, an increase of 2.7% was recorded in 2022. Thus, over the year, the growth rate of production of these products has more than doubled. This is stated in a study by BusinesStat, the results of which were published on March 4, 2024.

Meat and meat-containing semi-finished products include large-sized products (cutlet meat, loin and brisket, tenderloin), portion products (anthrecote, beefsteak, fillet, langet, schnitzel, etc.), small-sized semi-finished products (azoo, befstrogan, toast, gulash, kebab, etc.), chopped products (minced meat, cutlets, meatballs, beefsteaks, etc.), semi-finished products in dough (dumplings, etc.), dumplings, etc.

According to estimates, in 2019, 3.66 million tons of meat semi-finished products were produced in Russia. In 2020 and 2021, growth amounted to 14.1% and 2.5%, respectively, to 4.18 million tons and 4.28 million tons. In general, during 2019-2023, product output rose by 27.1%. During this period, a number of investment projects for the production of semi-finished meat products were implemented. In particular, an important event in the industry was the opening in May 2023 of the meat processing enterprise of the Agroeko Group of Companies in the Voronezh Region. The capacity of the production complex is more than 300 thousand tons of products per year, and the assortment has 300 items of packaged products.

The report says that the capabilities of Russian meat processing enterprises allow not only to completely close the needs of the domestic market for semi-finished meat products, but also to significantly increase exports. In this regard, companies from the Russian Federation are expanding the geography of supplies. So, if in 2019 Russian meat semi-finished products were supplied to 17 countries of the world, then in 2023 - to more than 50 countries.^[6]

Growth in meat production by 2.7% to 9.5 million tons

According to IAA IMIT, in 2023, meat production in large agricultural holdings increased by 2.7%, or by 249 thousand tons - to 9.5 million tons of meat in slaughter weight. Most of the meat produced is poultry - 50.2%, pork occupies almost half the volume - 42.9%. A small amount is allocated to the production of beef - 6.7%, lamb and goat - 0.2%. Such data were released in January 2024.

The leader is the Central Federal District, where 4.4 million tons of meat in slaughter weight were produced in 2023, which is 47% of the total production. Production growth was recorded in the North Caucasus (+ 9.1%, 35.1 thousand tons), South (+ 2.5%, 14.2 thousand tons), Volga (+ 4%, 75 thousand tons) and Far Eastern (+ 4.9%, 6.5 thousand tons) federal districts.

In 2023, meat production in large agricultural holdings increased by 2.7%

As Interfax notes, in 2023, large beef producers in the Russian Federation increased losses. Thus, the net loss of the Bryansk Meat Company reached 2.37 billion rubles against 795.8 million rubles in losses in 2022. The Voronezh company "Zarechnoye" at the end of 2023 recorded a net loss of 2.2 billion rubles, while in 2022 cash losses were measured at 1.6 billion rubles.

The head of the National Meat Association (NMA, unites the largest operators of the meat market) Sergey Yushin, in a conversation with Vedomosti, noted that in the production of cattle and beef, agricultural organizations with low or even negative profitability. According to the expert, only premium parts of meat breeds can be sold at a high price. But they account for no more than 10% of the total mass, and the demand for them is relatively small. According to Sergei Yushin, the bulk of beef comes from dairy cows, often going to slaughter when they have already recouped themselves by giving milk.^[7]

Meat consumption in Russia set a new record - 80.8 kg per person per year

Meat consumption Russia in rose to 80.8 kg per person, a record. This was reported on March 28, 2024 "" RIA Novosti with reference to the materials. Rosselkhozbank

According to the materials, meat consumption will continue to grow, and the most popular meat products are pork and broiler meat. The forecast for meat consumption for 2024 is 83 kg of meat per person.

Meat consumption in Russia increased to 80.8 kg per person

According to Andrei Dalnov, chief industry analyst at the RSHB, at the beginning of the 2000s, the main consumption of meat was broiler meat; around 2014, turkey meat took the lead. For 2024, there is a continuation of market diversification - successful large projects for the production and processing of duck and lamb have appeared.

According to the bank's forecasts, pork consumption in 2024 will increase by 1.3 kg per person to 31.9 kg per year, broiler - by 0.5 kg to 33 kg. Beef consumption is expected to rise by 0.2 kg to 12.6 kg per person per year. A slight increase is also predicted for the consumption of poultry meat - a total of up to 3.7 kg of meat per person per year.

The consumption of meat and meat products already exceeds the recommended standard of the Ministry of Health (73 kilograms), but one should not talk about overeating: meat is a valuable source of all nine amino acids not synthesized by our body and most essential fatty acids. This compensates for the so far unattainable level of consumption of some other products, - says Dalnov.

The bank also predicts an increase not only in meat consumption, but also in a healthy side dish in the form of greens. According to RSHB analysts, by 2030 the production of green crops will exceed 100 thousand tons. The production of greens and salads in Russia will grow by an average of 5% per year.^[8]

2022

Growth in chicken meat output by 4.6% to 4.7 million tons

At the end of 2022, about 4.7 million tons of chicken meat were produced in Russia, which is 4.6% more than a year earlier. Production began to rise again after a slight drop (-0.2%) in 2021. This is evidenced by data from the analytical agency BusinesStat, published in early November 2023.

According to the study, in the period from 2020 to 2022. The production of chicken meat in Russia increased by 7.5%, which was facilitated by three main factors.

• increased sales in the domestic market. Against the background of a decrease in the purchasing power of the population, the sale of inexpensive types of meat, which include chicken, has increased;
• export upswing. At the same time, supplies of Russian chicken meat to China increased most significantly (from 64 thousand tons in 2019 to 130 thousand tons on average in 2020-2022);
• implementation of measures to reduce the dependence of the industry on imported supplies within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Agriculture, designed for 2017-2030.

However, in Russia in 2022 there was a shortage of breeding material, which hinders the development of the poultry industry. In order to solve this problem, in 2022, Russian poultry farms began to increase their self-sufficiency capacity with eggs and chickens. Cherkizovo Holding has opened 6 new chicken growing buildings, Elinar Holding has increased the number of breeding reproducers. In 2023, it became known about plans to expand production at the Northern Farm, Lindovskaya Poultry Farm, Belgrankorm, and Malkina Farm. Also, work continues to increase the capacities of Cherkizovo and Elinar. According to analysts, self-sufficiency of the country with an incubation egg from its own breeding reproducers will contribute to the growth of chicken meat production in the coming years.

^[9]

Reduction in sales of lamb in Russia by 1.9% to 121.6 thousand tons

In 2022, 121.6 thousand tons of lamb were sold in Russia, which is 1.9% less than a year earlier. Such data analysts of the BusinesStat agency were released in July 2023.

According to the researchers, the decline in real disposable incomes of the population and economic uncertainty lead to a decrease in sales of this type of meat. Analysts also cite Rosstat data, according to which lamb is the most expensive type of meat after beef. The promotion of lamb is also hindered by a very narrow assortment. More than 90% of sales are in unbranded products, experts say.

According to the study, chilled products prevail in the structure of lamb sales on the Russian market, the share of which in 2018-2022. amounted to 91.2-95.6%. Frozen lamb accounted for 4.4% to 8.8% of all sales in the years under review, respectively. Such a significant predominance of sales of chilled lamb over frozen lamb is explained by the peculiarity of the market in Russia, namely, by large volumes of production and, accordingly, sales of lamb by households and small farms, where, as a rule, there is no possibility of purchasing expensive shock freezing chambers for high-quality freezing and storage of meat. In addition, in such farms, animal slaughter most often occurs under a specific order, that is, immediately before the sale of meat.

In their review, analysts cited the following classification of lamb:

• lamb - meat of sheep (sheep), consumed as food;
• lamb - sheep meat no older than 12 months. The meat is of tender consistency, pinkish red and velvety in appearance. Carcass weight is not more than 26 kg.

According to experts, in 2022 Russia exported lamb by $0.6 million, which is almost 100% less, in 2018.^[10]

Duck meat market growth triples to 35.5 thousand tons

The Russian market for duck meat in 3 years is almost three times - from 13.7 thousand tons in 2020 to 35.5 thousand tons in 2022. This is evidenced by BusinesStat data released in July 2023.

According to analysts, the driver of the growth in sales of duck meat in 2022 was the increasing interest of Russians in non-traditional types of poultry meat for the domestic market, since the market for chicken meat traditional for the country has almost reached saturation. The rapid growth in sales in 2020-2022 is also explained by the fact that this growth was of a recovery nature. In 2019, the level of sales of duck meat was very low - 11.5 thousand tons, which is 41% less than in 2018.

In 2020-2022 The supply of duck meat on the Russian market not only recovered, but also increased relative to 2018. The production of meat of poultry ducks "Ulybino" (Novosibirsk region) and "Central" (Vladimir) began. In 2020-2022, the enterprises significantly increased their production volumes. In addition, another producer entered the Russian duck meat market: production at the production base of Donstar LLC was resumed by Damate Group of Companies, which created the New Duck Farms company for these purposes.

The additional supply volume met the corresponding solvent demand, as a result of which sales of duck meat in 2020-2022. grew at a rate of 19.3-78.6% per year. According to BusinesStat estimates, the production facilities introduced in 2020-2022 will further increase the volume of production and sales of duck meat in Russia. However, such rapid growth as in 2020-2022 should not be expected. Factors such as the high price of duck meat compared to chicken meat and competition with other types of poultry meat (turkey, goose) will have a limiting effect on sales, analysts say.^[11]

Increase in sales of semi-finished products to 4.35 million tons

Sales of meat semi-finished products in Russia in 2022 reached 4.35 million tons, which is 0.8% more than a year earlier, and 36% higher than 5 years ago (in 2018, the market volume was measured 3.21 million tons). This is evidenced by the data of BusinesStat analysts released in May 2023.

They note that in 2022, the growth in sales of meat semi-finished products in the Russian Federation became the minimum in 5 years. The declining real disposable incomes of the population have led customers to switch to a frugal consumption model, reduce purchases or switch to cheaper types of products. The decisive factor in choosing is the price of the product, promotions are increasingly popular. The long-term negative factor is also the tendency to reduce the country's population and the mass departure of Russians in 2022, which leads to a decrease in the number of buyers of meat semi-finished products, the study notes.

It also says that in 2022 in Russia there was a high level of meat consumption per capita, and the share of meat semi-finished products in the meat product market is growing mainly due to a decrease in the share of other segments of this market, such as unfilled meat and finished meat products (sausages, ham, etc.).

From 2018 to 2022 the natural volume of export supplies of meat semi-finished products from Russia decreased by 32.1%: from 24.4 to 16.5 thousand tons. In 2018-2020 exports of semi-finished meat products from Russia grew. The decrease in the indicator observed since 2021 reached the largest value in 2022 (-39.6%). The reason for such a significant drop in exports was the reduction in supplies to Ukraine: from 14.4 thousand tons in 2020 to 2.3 thousand tons in 2022, experts explain BusinesStat.^[12]

Meat consumption in Russia increased by 2.3% and reached a record level

At the end of 2022, meat consumption in Russia increased by 2.3% compared to 2021 and reached a record figure in at least 10 years - 79 kg per person per year. RBC writes about this on February 14, 2023 with reference to the presentation of the National Union of Pig Farmers.

Most Russians in 2022 consumed poultry meat - 44.3%, the total consumption of this type of meat increased by 2% compared to 2021. In 2022, residents of the Russian Federation ate an average of about 35 kg of poultry meat per person.

Pork consumption has become a record over the past 30 years - at the end of 2022, it increased by 5.9% year-on-year, to 29.8 kg per year per person. The share of pork in total meat consumption reached 37.5%. Market participants explained such a jump by the smaller type of meat among all the rise in prices for it in 2022. The market leader, according to the National Union of Pig Farmers, is the Miratorg agricultural holding, which accounts for about 12.6% of all industrial pork production in Russia.

Wholesale prices for pork products decreased by 5-7% on average over the year, and retail prices showed "no growth." The difference in price between poultry meat and pork in general in recent years was 50%, and by the end of 2022 - 20-25%. Consumption of beef and lamb in 2022 fell - by 1.9 and 7.1%, respectively.

As the head of the National Meat Association (NMA) Sergei Yushin told Interfax in February 2023, meat consumption, despite a decrease in disposable income, has constantly grown over the past seven years, having increased by about 7% over this period.

Broiler, pork and turkey remained and remain the food group's most sought-after commodities with the most attractive price-consumer mix, he claimed.[13]

Notes