Russia's revenue from exports of agricultural products to Belarus up 16% in Q1 2026 to more than $1 bln - Agroexport

MOSCOW. June 9 (Interfax) - Russia exported agricultural products worth more than $1 billion to Belarus in Q1 2026, up 16% year-on-year, the Agroexport federal center told Interfax.

Belarus entered the top three leading buyers of Russian food in January-March.

This year, the largest amounts of Russian exports to Belarus were made up of sunflower oil, pork, and pet food. Shipments of sunflower oil increased 17% in Q1 to $149 million, shipments of pork and pork by-products rose 21% to $85 million, and exports of packaged cat and dog food increased 45% to $50 million. In addition, supplies of flour confectionery increased by a quarter to $48 million, and supplies of chocolate products were up almost a third to $45 million.

"Belarus is one of Russia's key partners in the trade of agricultural products. Trade turnover is steadily growing and has broad opportunities for further development. According to Agroexport's estimates, the potential of Russian supplies of agricultural products and food to the country by 2030 exceeds $4.4 billion," the head of Agroexport, Ilya Ilyushin, was quoted by the center's press service as saying.

The high level of interaction also makes it possible to exchange experience, implement joint educational programs and scientific projects, develop cooperation in agrotourism, and promptly resolve issues related to maintaining the stability of food markets, he said.

Positive dynamics of Russian agricultural exports over the past five years made Belarus the largest importer by value of Russian agricultural and food products in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2025, representative of the Russian Agriculture Ministry in Belarus Yegor Dymper said.

Factors such as brand strength, quality and level of technology allow, for example, Russian cheeses to sit alongside local products on the Belarusian shelf, Dymper said. The same situation is observed for other types of Russian products. "Cooperation between our agricultural sectors and food industry is not limited solely to trade matters," he said. "The common task of the two countries is the accelerated modernization of the agricultural sector. Moreover, close historical ties stimulate cooperation in the scientific and educational spheres, animal husbandry, breeding and seed production."