- Export growth: Russian soybean oil exports to MENA reached nearly $290 million in 2025, up 11% year-on-year.
- Market share: MENA accounted for 43% of total Russian soybean oil export revenue, underscoring the region’s strategic importance.
- Key buyers: Algeria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel were the top five destination markets.
- Price tone: Neutral to slightly bearish impact on Black Sea soybean prices as Russia focuses on value-added oil exports rather than whole beans.
Russian Soybean Oil Exports to MENA
Russian soybean oil exports to the Middle East and North Africa climbed to approximately $290 million in 2025, an 11% increase versus 2024, according to federal center Agroexport. The MENA region now accounts for 43% of Russia’s total soybean oil export revenue, consolidating its role as a core demand hub.
Algeria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel made up the top five buyers, highlighting a diversified customer base across both North Africa and the Gulf. The expansion has been underpinned by higher domestic soybean output and increased crushing capacity within Russia.
Strategic Focus on MENA
At the Gulfood2026 exhibition in Dubai, Ilya Ilyushin, head of Agroexport, reiterated Russia’s strategic focus on the MENA macroregion for vegetable oil exports. This aligns with the region’s rising demand for edible oils and Russia’s shift toward marketing more refined, value-added products rather than raw oilseeds.
Export Metrics Overview
| Indicator | 2024 | 2025 | Change YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russian soybean oil exports to MENA (value) | ~$261 million (est.) | ~$290 million | +11% |
| MENA share of Russian soybean oil export revenue | n/a | 43% | n/a |
Market Impact and Price Tone
The rise in soybean oil exports indicates stronger domestic crushing activity in Russia, which in turn supports demand for raw soybeans in the Black Sea region. However, because the growth is concentrated in processed oil rather than whole bean shipments, Russia is competing more in refined products markets than in bulk soybean trade.
For Black Sea soybean traders, this development is neutral to slightly bearish for price dynamics: Russia strengthens its role as a value-added processor supplying the MENA vegetable oil deficit, while the direct upward pressure on regional soybean prices remains limited.
Source: Market Data
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