Russia’s LNG storage is on track to be at 100% capacity to meet this winter’s demand, while the EU has fallen short of its storage targets. However, although the EU is unlikely to face energy cuts, other suppliers are taking advantage of the EU’s political position. The cost of natural gas in the European Union when compared to Russia is currently 976% more expensive.
Russia’s 2026 wheat harvest has already produced enough for its domestic consumption, and it will concentrate the remaining crop harvest for its huge export markets. In contrast, the European Union now imports wheat from North America at 2.5 times the price of Russian wheat. A key part of Russia’s pivot to Asia strategy is a pivot to self-sufficiency – ensuring that its domestic production is in good health prior to engaging in exports of critical consumer products.
Russia’s Tatneft has entered into a JV with China’s NTL Chemical Technologies LLC, with initial investments of US$1.6 billion, increasing to about US$3.6 billion by 2035. The venture is involved in chemical processing and development to support Russia and China’s agricultural sectors as they move to eliminate reliance on Western producers.
Both Russia’s inbound and outbound tourism sectors are booming despite Western sanctions designed to prevent it. Instead, the market has completely recalibrated. We deep dive what is happening in this important development sector and the economic impact and investments this is producing both in Russia and in overseas markets.
Russia’s VTB bank has rolled out a QR code payment system throughout Thailand, allowing its Russian clients to make instantaneous payments of up to US$1,3460 a time via selected outlets. With 2 million Russian tourists expected to visit Thailand this year, the system bypasses Western financial sanctions and gives back independence to both Thai retailers and Russian consumers.
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Russia has tweaked its inbound foreign investment requirements and is looking for FDI that will utilise Russian manufacturing to add value. In addition, the ‘buy-back’ re-entry requirements into Russia for companies that exited the market yet wish to return have been tightened. We also examine the current inbound FDI volumes into Russia and look at the numbers of Western investors remaining operational in the country.
Russia’s MC-21-310 aircraft, built using entirely Russian-made components, has taken to the skies for the first time, the state-run Joint Aviation Corporation (OAK) has said. The development of the aircraft renders Western aviation sanctions against Russia increasingly redundant and has instead boosted Russian engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
Russia’s development of its domestic freight and logistics sector is expected to grow by over 13% in the period 2026-2031. We provide a comprehensive breakdown of this data – which is nearly 3 times more than the United States growth, and over 4 times more than the European Union over the same period.
Russia has become the world’s second largest supplier of coriander spice to the global market, according to the Russian Agroexport federal center. India is the largest exporter, while most of Russia’s exports go to ASEAN, Central Asia and the Middle East.
The Russia-China auto JV producing Tenet vehicles has just started production in St.Petersburg. The plant has been refitted after US auto maker General Motors pulled out of the Russian market incurring significant losses.
Rosatom’s CEO, Alexey Likhachev, has forecast a record cargo transit of forty million tonnes along Northern Sea Route in 2026, an increase of about 10% above 2025 figures. Rosatom is responsible for managing the route and provides nuclear-powered icebreakers to assist with the transit.
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