Russia kicks off pork exports to Africa

Pig carcasses in a chilled room. Photo: Bert Jansen

Talina Group, a prominent Russian pork manufacturer, has shipped the first batch of pork to Congo, marking the Russian pig industry’s efforts to diversify foreign sales.

Sales to Africa account for only 0.01% of Russian pork exports, according to Agroexport, a Russian government agency that facilitates agricultural exports. In 2025, Russia exported 390,000 tonnes of pork worth over US$ 1 billion.

Natural challenges for exporting pork

Russian pig farmers eye opportunities to boost pork exports to Africa, but face natural challenges in this direction, Agroexport noted. For instance, the agency said, logistically Northern Africa is more accessible to Russian shippers than the countries south of the Sahara, but the high concentration of Muslims in this part of the region limits export opportunities.

Cold chain remains one of the key constraints in pork exports to Africa, with quality risks arising not only at the international leg but also at the last 200 km. In particular, cold chain issues can arise due to power outages and the lack of stable temperature monitoring and discipline at transshipment points.

Customers in Africa are relatively price-sensitive, which also hampers development opportunities for Russian pork exporters. On top of that, Russian exporters in Africa will face stiff competition from Brazil, which last year accounted for 27% of the continent’s pork imports, Agroexport noted.

Vast opportunities for pork exports

However, in the long run, it still makes sense for Russian pork exporters to gain a foothold in Africa, as the region’s pork market offers significant growth potential. By 2030, the continent’s population is likely to grow significantly, reaching between 1.8 and 2 billion, pushing food consumption upwards, Agroexport said, adding that its potential to boost food production, including pork, is limited by water and arable land scarcity.