According to available data, Russian farmers’ self-sufficiency in seeds has reached 70%, a significant increase compared to recent years.
Experts say Russian agribusiness has made significant strides toward switching to domestically produced seeds.
For example, self-sufficiency in sunflower seeds currently stands at approximately 50%, soybeans at 65%, and rapeseed at approximately 60%.
This suggests that Russia will be able to completely eliminate its dependence on imports in this sector in the foreseeable future.
For some other crops, the situation is not so promising.
For example, in 2019, self-sufficiency in sugar beet seeds was only 1%, but by 2025, it will reach 20%. Despite this significant increase, we see that 100% is still a long way off.
Different regions of the country also demonstrate different import substitution rates. For example, in the Altai Krai, the share of domestically produced sunflower seeds increased from 40% to 60%.
The Omsk Region has almost completely switched to Russian rapeseed: 80%.
Primorsky Krai, one of the country’s main soybean-growing centers, uses mostly Russian seeds: their share is approximately 60%.
Overall, analysts believe that Russian breeders have made significant progress in the past few years. However, much work remains.
To successfully introduce domestic seeds to the market and complete the urgent task of import substitution, it is necessary to simultaneously implement technologies that accelerate the breeding process.
Furthermore, digitalization of the industry is crucial, as it will help make its operations more efficient.
Some experts note that although import substitution goals have not yet been fully achieved, the point of no return has been passed, and the share of domestic seeds used by Russian farmers will steadily increase.
According to a plan developed by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Russia’s seed self-sufficiency should reach approximately 75% by 2030.
However, the ministry does not rule out the possibility that this figure could be reached even earlier. For example, at the end of 2024, it was 67%, and in 2025, this figure could reach approximately 70%.
Meanwhile, the government is reducing the quota for seed imports from unfriendly countries. In 2026, it will be only 15,000 tons, down from 18,300 tons in 2025.
