Russia Estimates Saudi Arabian Agricultural Market As Having Significant Growth Potential

Russia has significant potential to increase agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia, with the total export potential of Russian agricultural products to the country estimated at US$1.4 billion by 2030, according to Ilya Ilyushin, Head of the Agroexport Federal Center. He was speaking at the Russian-Saudi GRAS Agro-Industrial Forum in Moscow on June 30.

The GRAS Forum is the first-of-its-kind platform bringing together Russian and Saudi interests in food security, technology exchange, and strategic partnership.

Ilyushin said “The greatest Russian export growth potential to Saudi Arabia is in grains and legumes, meat, and oil and fat products. Realizing this potential requires developing sustainable business ties between the two countries.”

Saudi Arabia primarily imports grains, sunflower oil, poultry, and beef from Russia, while Russia’s imports from the Kingdom consist mainly of shrimp, dates, and beverages.

Last year, Russian exports of barley and poultry doubled, beef shipments rose 47%, processed poultry product exports increased 52%, and chocolate confectionery exports grew 1.7-fold. However, wheat exports declined 10%, sunflower oil fell 20%, and chickpeas dropped 25%.

Russia has significant potential to expand grain and legume exports, Ilyushin said. In the 2024-2025 agricultural year (ending June 30, 2025), Russia supplied nearly 3.3 million tonnes worth over US$700 million to the kingdom. Wheat accounted for 61% of the exports’ value, barley for 38%.

Saudi Arabia also represents an important market for Russian meat exporters. Over the past five years, Russian meat exports to the country grew sixfold, reaching 83,000 tons in 2024. Chicken comprised 80% of shipments, and beef 20%.

Ilyushin commented “We also see good potential to develop mutton exports. 2025 continues to show steady growth in meat exports. January-May poultry shipments doubled, beef rose 14%, and processed poultry products increased 1.5-fold.”

He also identified untapped potential in dairy products, fish and seafood, confectionery, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Russia has been discussing the creation of a Middle East Agri-Industrial Hub in Qatar, while the development of the International North-South Transport Rail Corridor through Iran will also significantly boost Russian exports when that is properly up and running from 2027.