Russia becomes fully self-sufficient in soybeans and soybean meal —
“We have a rather serious surplus, which needs to go somewhere,” says Dmitry Rylko
Staff Report — Veterinary News & Views
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Russia is on track to achieve full self-sufficiency in soybeans and soybean meal for the first time in its history, driven by a record-breaking oilseed harvest and significant meal production. However, the country now faces the challenge of exporting a large surplus, according to Dmitry Rylko, General Director of the Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR).
Speaking at the Pig Farming 2025 scientific and practical conference in Moscow, Rylko stated that Russia has entered a new era for its oilseed and feed industry. This year’s exceptional harvest of soybeans, rapeseed, flax, and sunflower has produced unprecedented quantities of high-protein meal for both domestic use and export.
According to IKAR’s latest forecast, Russia’s total oilseed harvest for the 2025–2026 agricultural year is expected to reach a historic 32–33 million tonnes.
Estimated output includes:
- Sunflower: 16.6–16.8 million tonnes
- Rapeseed: 5.43 million tonnes
- Soybeans: 9.35 million tonnes
This massive crop is projected to yield 14.5 million tonnes of high-protein meal. Out of this, IKAR estimates that 4.4 million tonnes will be available for export — surpassing last year’s 3.9 million tonnes.
“We have a rather serious surplus, which needs to go somewhere.”
He added that Russia’s first-ever complete self-sufficiency in soybeans and soybean meal means that this excess production must now find international buyers.
Despite the strong supply, Rylko cautioned that exporting the surplus will be difficult. Global demand — especially from China — has weakened this year. Moreover, Russia imposes a 20% export duty on raw soybeans, making processed soybean meal the preferred export product.
“Our prices will have to fall below export parity.”
The pressure on prices is already visible across the market. Soybean prices have fallen sharply throughout Russia’s macro-regions. In several areas, prices have dropped below even flaxseed — which itself has experienced a steep decline.
Russia’s emergence as a fully self-sufficient producer of soybeans and soybean meal represents a significant achievement for its agricultural economy. However, the export barriers, declining prices, and regional market imbalances highlight the structural vulnerabilities facing producers — especially those far from major export hubs.
How Russia manages its oilseed surplus in the coming months will shape both its domestic feed market and its competitive position in the global oilseed meal trade.
Sources
Interfax News Agency
Export of meal from Russia in 2025–2026 agricultural year may reach record 4.4 mln tonnes
https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/115137/
Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR)
Market commentary & press information
http://ikar.ru/1/en/press/3935/