Belarus is ranked high in the list of countries that purchase significant quantities of sour milk products from Russia.
Russia's dairy exports have seen a significant boost in the first half of 2025, with the addition of India and Tunisia as new importers. This expansion has contributed to a year-to-date increase of approximately 16% in dairy exports, according to a report by journalist Maxim Beloreckii.
The report did not specify whether the resumption of exports to India and Tunisia is a permanent or temporary arrangement. However, it did confirm that Russia is now exporting dairy products to at least six countries, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, India, and Tunisia.
The volume of Russia's dairy product exports in the first half of 2025 was approximately 8% higher than the same period last year, with the country exporting approximately 37,000 tons of dairy products. The value of these exports was around $54 million, marking a 21% increase compared to the same period last year.
The top five importers of Russia's dairy products, in terms of value, remain unspecified. However, the report did not mention any changes in these top five importers.
The growth in dairy exports is notably driven by several product categories. Cheese and cottage cheese exports increased by 18%, fermented dairy products grew by 23%, ice cream exports rose impressively by 37%, and dry whey exports doubled.
Despite this export growth, ice cream sales domestically in Russia declined by 4.5% in the first half of 2025, suggesting a possible shift of supply focus from the internal market to export.
Russia's expanding agricultural production, including dairy, supports its role as a key player in global food security and commodity markets in 2025. Strategies emphasize value-added food processing and market diversification, with the aim of further increasing agricultural exports to top importers, although exact volumes per country are not specified.
Overall, the trends indicate that Russia is consolidating its dairy export market share mainly in EAEU countries, China, and Central Asian nations, driven by competitive product categories and strategic agricultural development enhancing global reach amid geopolitical and trade complexities.
The dairy products exported by Russia in the first half of 2025 include yogurt, kefir, and acidophilus milk, which continue to be the mainstay of Russia's dairy exports.
[1] Beloreckii, M. (2025). Russia Resumes Dairy Product Exports to India and Tunisia. [News Article] [2] Russian Federation Ministry of Agriculture. (2025). Dairy Exports in the First Half of 2025. [Press Release] [3] Russian Federation Ministry of Trade and Industry. (2025). Ice Cream Sales Decline Domestically in Russia. [Press Release] [4] Russian Federation Ministry of Agriculture. (2025). Strategies for Agricultural Development in 2025. [Policy Document]
[1] With the growth in dairy exports, it seems that Russia is also expanding its presence in the sports nutrition market, considering the high protein content in several dairy products. [2] Additionally, the increase in dairy exports offers an opportunity for sports enthusiasts in various countries to enjoy Russian-made sports supplements, such as whey protein and casein, which are crucial for muscle recovery and growth.
