China Confirms Its Status as the Largest Buyer of Russian Agricultural Products: Results of the First 11 Months of 2025

Russia’s agro-industrial sector continues to expand its export capacity in the eastern direction. Over the incomplete period of 2025 (January–November), shipments of food products to the People’s Republic of China reached USD 6.7 billion. This figure is 14% higher than in the same period last year, allowing China to confidently maintain its leadership among Russia’s key trading partners in the agricultural sector.

According to data from the Federal Center for Agricultural Export Development (Agroexport) under the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, China remains the primary sales market for a wide range of products. Traditionally strong positions are held by the fisheries sector, with frozen fish and crustaceans accounting for a significant share of exports.

However, the most impressive growth has been demonstrated by the vegetable oil and fat segment. Rapeseed oil ranked second in the export structure, immediately after fish. During the reporting period, shipments of rapeseed oil exceeded USD 1.2 billion, showing a year-on-year increase of 42%.

In addition, China continues to hold the status of the largest importer for a number of Russian agricultural products, including:

• oilseeds and grains (soybeans, flaxseed, oats, buckwheat);

• meat products (beef and poultry).

Analysts point to a shift in demand conditions. It is expected that once the final results of 2025 are summarized, China will emerge as the leading buyer of Russian edible pork by-products, as well as oilseed meals and cakes. Furthermore, experts forecast that China will regain first place among buyers of Russian honey and peas.

The long-term outlook for trade cooperation is assessed as positive. According to Agroexport estimates, if current trends persist, the potential annual supply of Russian agricultural products to the Chinese market could exceed USD 11 billion by 2030.