Russia's Grain and Oilseed Exports are Booming

25-Nov-2025 01:55 PM

Moscow. Russia, the leading agricultural producer in the Black Sea region, is experiencing a rapid export of grains and oilseeds. It appears that farmers are facing financial hardship, forcing them to sell their produce quickly, even at low prices. Arrivals for many crops began in July.

According to a leading trade analysis firm, total exports (sales) of grain commodities from Russia during December reached 11 million tons, the highest monthly volume ever.

Similarly, total oilseed sales reached 1.7 million tons, a new record for September and equal to the highest monthly export of 2020. It is noteworthy that in 2020, there was no tax on sunflower seed exports in Russia, but now customs duties are in effect.

Total grain sales remained high at 9.3 million tons in October 2025, the highest monthly sales since 2022. Record production led to robust grain sales of 9.9 million tons in October 2022. Oilseed sales jumped to 3 million tons in October 2025, the second-highest monthly total ever, after the peak of 3.1 million tons in December 2023.

Engaged in a fierce war with Ukraine, Russian farmers are facing a worsening financial situation and are forced to sell large quantities of produce to repay their debts.

Traders and exporters are capitalizing on this, but farmers' incomes are declining. Farmers also need significant funds to sow winter crops. It is noteworthy that during the eight months from January to August 2025,

when taxes on grains and oilseeds were not imposed in Russia, farmers earned 67 billion rubles from their sales, a 25 percent increase over the same period last year.

Russia is the world's largest exporter of wheat, while it also exports a large number of other agricultural products, including corn, barley, sunflowers, peas, and lentils.