- Export Growth: Russian agricultural exports to China reached $6.7 billion in Jan–Nov 2025, up 14% year-on-year, reinforcing China’s role as Russia’s top food buyer.
- Rapeseed Oil Surge: Rapeseed oil shipments to China jumped 42% to exceed $1.2 billion, becoming the second-largest agricultural export after frozen fish.
- Commodity Concentration: China remained the largest buyer of Russian rapeseed oil, soybeans, flaxseed, oats, buckwheat, poultry, beef, frozen fish, and shellfish, with scope to expand into pig by-products and meals.
- Logistics Impact: Strong Chinese demand for oilseeds and processed products may tighten Black Sea vessel availability on traditional routes to the Mediterranean and Middle East.
Russian Agricultural Export Performance to China
Russian agricultural exports to China totaled $6.7 billion in January–November 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, according to the Federal Center for Agroexport at the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. This confirms China’s position as the leading buyer of Russian food products over the period.
Rapeseed oil was a key growth driver, with export values to China exceeding $1.2 billion, up 42% from the same period in 2024. This placed rapeseed oil second in Russia’s agricultural export structure to China, behind only frozen fish.
China remained the primary destination for a broad range of Russian agricultural and animal products, including rapeseed oil, soybeans, flaxseed, oats, buckwheat, poultry, beef, frozen fish, and shellfish. By year-end 2025, China could also become the leading importer of Russian edible pig by-products, meals and cakes, and may reclaim its top position for peas and honey.
Key Export Metrics
| Indicator | Jan–Nov 2025 Value | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total Russian agricultural exports to China | $6.7 billion | +14% |
| Rapeseed oil exports to China | >$1.2 billion | +42% |
| Ranking of rapeseed oil in export structure | 2nd (after frozen fish) | Improving |
Market and Logistics Implications
The rapid expansion of Russia–China agricultural trade, especially in oilseeds and processed products, signals deepening structural ties between the two markets. The 42% rise in rapeseed oil exports highlights robust Chinese demand for vegetable oils and may be reshaping global oilseed trade flows, as more Black Sea-origin oilseed and product volumes are directed east.
For freight and logistics, sustained growth in oilseed and grain movements to China is likely to support demand for bulk and container capacity on eastbound Black Sea routes. Market participants should track any resulting tightness in vessel availability for traditional Black Sea export corridors to the Mediterranean and Middle East, which could influence freight rates and shipment timing for other regional exporters.
Source: Market Data
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