Russian poultry exports to Africa reach US$51 million as shipments more than double in 2025 – INTERFAX
Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ghana ranked among the largest buyers.
AFRICA – Russia significantly increased its poultry meat exports to African countries in 2025, with shipments more than doubling from the previous year and generating about US$51 million in revenue as exporters expanded sales to new and returning markets on the continent.
Data reported by the Russian news agency Interfax, citing February estimates from the agricultural export agency Agroexport, show that Russia delivered approximately 35,000 tonnes of poultry meat to African destinations by the end of 2025.
The export volume recorded during the year was more than twice that of the previous year, while the value of shipments was more than three times higher than in the previous period.
Agroexport said the increase came as Russian suppliers resumed deliveries to markets that had previously been inactive and established trade with several new countries.
Expansion into new and returning markets
According to the agency, 2025 marked the first time Russian poultry meat and related products were exported to the Central African Republic and Sudan.
Shipments also resumed to Sierra Leone and Djibouti after a pause that began in 2017.
Exports were further restored to Tanzania for the first time since 2020, to Gambia after an interruption that began in 2018, and to Morocco and Togo following a suspension dating back to 2023.
Benin was the largest buyer of Russian poultry products in Africa during 2025, accounting for about 41.1% of purchases by value.
The Democratic Republic of Congo followed with 21.56% of imports, while Ghana represented about 11.7% of the total.
Despite the rise in shipments, Russian poultry products still account for only a small share of the overall poultry imports entering African markets.
Poultry imports continue to grow in Africa
Demand for imported poultry meat across Africa has increased in recent years as consumption of animal protein continues to rise across the continent.
Data compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization show that imports of poultry meat and offal increased by 19% between 2020 and 2024, rising from about 2 million tonnes to roughly 2.44 million tonnes.
During the same period, the total value of these purchases climbed by 37% to reach approximately US$2.63 billion.
Brazil, the United States, and the European Union remain the primary suppliers of poultry products to African countries.
Outside the continent, China remained the largest importer of Russian poultry in 2025, purchasing about 154,800 tonnes of poultry meat and edible offal.
This volume accounted for around 34% of Russia’s meat shipments to the Chinese market. In contrast, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, and Central Asian markets such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan also remained key destinations for Russian exports.
Overall, Russia exported more than 900,000 tonnes of meat and related by-products in 2025, with poultry accounting for a large share of the total shipments.
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