News

Latest updates, insights, and analysis.

September 6, 2026

Russian 2026 Grain Harvest Achieves Domestic Self-Sufficiency-Exports To Friendly Countries To Follow

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.

September 6, 2026

Russia’s Record 2026 Autumn Apple Harvest

Russia has achieved self-sufficiency in its apple production, as it has turned away from its previous European Union supply chains to wholly domestic reliance. Russia has achieved this by planting 113,700 hectares of apple orchards over the past five years. In contrast, the EU’s own apple crop has been diminishing due to climate change and its own agriculture policies.

September 6, 2026

Russian 2026 Agricultural Exports To China Up 40% In 7M

Russia’s agricultural exports to China are up 40% in 2026 to date, with 42% of the total from the Russian Far East. Primary growth sectors include fish, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybeans, crustaceans, peas, pork and pork products in what is an increasingly diversified export trade portfolio.

September 5, 2026

What Russia Gained From The 2026 SCO Summit: Results & Analysis

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation annual Heads of State summit has now ended, with a major emphasis on trade development. We provide a deep-dive analysis on the 29 agreements signed, including in the security, AI, energy, environment, trade, tourism, diplomatic relations and the SCO’s institutional development sectors. With the SCO possessing nearly a third of global GDP and 50% of the world’s population, this report will be of significant interest to anyone involved in Eurasian affairs.

September 4, 2026

Sberbank Launches Cross-Border Crypto Payments System

Russia’s Sberbank has launched an overseas crypto payment scheme for its corporate clients conducting international trade and investment. The Russian Central Bank authorised the method from September 1 with the mechanism likely to be a considerable game changer in global trade flows.

September 4, 2026

VTB Launches QR Code Payments System In Indonesia and The Philippines

Russia’s VTB bank has launched its QR code payment service to Indonesia and the Philippines. Both are increasingly popular with Russian tourists, with the system avoiding Western payment mechanisms with direct debit from Russian clients’ ruble bank accounts at the prevailing exchange rate from the relevant local store in rupiah or pesos. There is no commission on the transaction.

September 4, 2026

Aeroflot Buys In-Flight Catering Business From Lufthansa

Aeroflot have purchased the 49% stake in Russia’s largest in-flight catering company, Aeromar, from Germany’s Lufthansa. The deal is noteworthy as Aeroflot is sanctioned, while Aeromar’s recent performance saw it make losses. Aeroflot will be expected to turn the business around and back into profitability under all Russian investment and management. Aeroflot’s international passenger flight capacity increased by 8.9% in Q1 this year.

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