Russia's meat and edible offal exports to China rose to more than 53,000 tonnes in the first five months of the year, worth over $156mn, state media Interfax reported on June 25.

The reported increase points to deepening agricultural trade between Russia and China as Moscow expands food exports to Asian markets, with China remaining one of the key buyers of Russian farm produce as sanctions continue to throttle the local economy.

The value of shipments exceeded the same period last year by 26%.

Pork formed the bulk of supplies, with Russian companies selling 46,500 tonnes and earning more than $101mn. Beef shipments brought in $54mn for 6,700 tonnes.

Sales of prepared meat products remained minimal at 1.5 tonnes worth $12,000, with analysts seeing deep processing as the main potential for further expansion of trade cooperation.

Russian producers were discussing prospects for increasing turnover with foreign partners at a business mission in Guangzhou, which runs until June 26.

China was one of the key markets for Russian agricultural produce, with suppliers shipping more than 76,000 tonnes of pork and over 23,000 tonnes of beef to its eastern neighbour throughout 2025, generating combined revenue exceeding $313mn.

More locally, Russia’s meat consumption stayed strong in 2025, led by chicken and pork, as households bought more meat both in physical terms and in spending terms, even as the market shifted toward cheaper, easy-to-prepare cuts and processed products.

In traditional markets, EU sanctions have already cut deeply into Russia’s trade with Europe: the European Parliament’s research service says EU-Russia trade fell 75% from pre-war levels, with sanctions covering more than 54% of exports and 58% of imports in the pre-war trade base.