Russia: Report identifies most promising markets for Russian beer exports

Russia's Agroexport Center in a new report has identified the most promising markets for Russian beer exports and the regions of the country that have the greatest export potential, Interfax reported on July 23.

The most promising markets include China, Belarus, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, which are very attractive "in terms of existing conditions, including an acceptable customs tariff burden and significant potential for growth of imports," the report said.

Russian beer exports to China could grow to 46,800 tonnes worth $31.7 million in 2026 from 31,200 tonnes worth $15.8 million in 2023, and increase their share of Chinese beer imports by value to 5.3% from 2.7%, the center estimated. China imported 422,500 tonnes of beer worth $578.3 million in 2023.

Russia has the potential to increase beer exports to the UAE to over 11,000 tonnes worth $7.7 million in 2026 from less than 0.01 tonne worth $0.01 million in 2022 (latest data available), and grow its share of UAE beer imports to 3.6% from 0.2%, the report said. The UAE imported 194,200 tonnes of beer worth $172.3 million in 2022.

Russian beer exports to Kazakhstan are forecast to grow to almost 71,000 tonnes worth $32.5 million in 2026 from 63,000 tonnes worth $28.3 million in 2023, with their share of Kazakhstan's beer imports by value growing to 62% from 60%. Kazakhstan imported 68,200 tonnes of beer worth $46.8 million in 2023.

The most favorable conditions for exports in Russia exist in 29 regions, the report said. They include regions able to develop a brewing industry that produces more than 50 million litres of beer annually.

Agroexport head Dmitry Krasnov was cited as saying in the report that global beer consumption is at a steadily high level and continues to grow with the increase in offer and creation of innovative flavors and recipes. Russia exported $160 million worth of beer to 39 countries in 2023.

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