In just one year, Russia managed to more than triple the value of its poultry meat exports to Africa. This spectacular leap—from $15 million in 2024 to over $51 million in 2025—is neither a coincidence nor simply a result of market dynamics. It reveals a deliberate strategy of geopolitical and commercial reorientation, driven as much by Western sanctions as by growing African demand for affordable animal protein.

Figures that are reshaping the global agri-food landscape

According to data published by Agroexport—the Russian Federal Center for the Development of Agro-Industrial Exports—Russia exported more than 35,000 tons of poultry meat and offal to Africa in 2025, compared to approximately 14,500 tons the previous year. In terms of value, the jump is even more dramatic: from $15 million to $51 million, a 3.5-fold increase.

These figures place Russia in an unprecedented position in the African market, where it now directly competes with established exporters such as Brazil, the European Union, and the United States. Frozen turkey and poultry offal make up the bulk of the volume, with frozen carcass parts representing a particularly large share.

The main markets: who buys Russian poultry?

The growth is not uniform across the continent. Five countries stand out as the pillars of this new trade dynamic:

• Ghana: +650% in value year-on-year
• Benin: +600% in value year-on-year
• DR Congo: +150% in value year-on-year
• Mozambique: Rapidly expanding market
• Guinea: Reinforced historical presence
• Gabon: New strategic market

Beyond these five key markets, 2025 also saw Russia enter some entirely new markets for the first time, with initial deliveries to the Central African Republic and Sudan, and a resumption of shipments to Tanzania and Morocco after several years of interruption.

Why this surge? The drivers of a historic breakthrough

Context 2022–2024

Western sanctions are gradually closing European markets to Russia, accelerating the reorientation of its agribusiness towards the Global South.

Trade Strategy

Moscow offered highly competitively priced meat thanks to low production costs and a government policy actively supporting exports.

African Demand

The continent’s population growth and rapid urbanization are driving demand for affordable animal protein, particularly in the form of frozen cuts and offal.

Food Diplomacy

Following the Russia-Africa summit, Moscow has signed numerous cooperation agreements and opened veterinary access to new markets—11 additional countries by 2025 alone.

A Strategy Beyond Poultry

Poultry is just one segment of a much broader agribusiness offensive. According to Agroexport data, from January to August 2025, Russia delivered nearly 11 million tons of agricultural products to African countries, worth over $2.8 billion. Cereals—especially wheat, of which Russia is the world’s leading exporter—remain the dominant commodity, but animal protein is gaining ground.

Agroexport director Ilya Ilyushin said that Russian agricultural exports to West Africa could exceed $450 million by 2030, a goal that seemed utopian just three years ago.