Shifting to large-scale maritime shipments has enabled domestic producers to significantly expand their presence in a promising foreign market.
An All-Time High for Middle Eastern Shipments
The Russian fats and oils industry is delivering outstanding results in the Middle East, setting a new all-time high for sunflower oil exports.
According to the latest statistics from the relevant federal center, export volumes for the first nine months of this year are eighteen times higher—in physical terms—than those recorded during the same period last year. In monetary terms, the growth is even more striking, showing a 21-fold increase.
The previous annual record, set five years ago, was surpassed by nearly 47 percent in just three quarters—a clear indicator of a qualitative breakthrough in trade relations.
Financial Metrics and Shipment Volumes
In absolute terms, the volume of unrefined product exported between January and September reached approximately 27,000 metric tons. The total value of these exports exceeded $38 million.
For comparison, the previous record, set over the course of a full twelve-month period, saw just over 18,000 metric tons shipped, with a total value of less than $25 million. These current figures confirm that this new export destination has evolved from a trial venture into one of the most rapidly growing and commercially lucrative markets for domestic businesses.
Strategic Reorientation and Market Diversification
The intensive development of new geographic markets is fundamentally important to the resilience of the domestic agro-industrial complex. Industry analysts point out that approximately 70 percent of all vegetable oils produced in the country are traditionally destined for foreign markets.
Until recently, the geography of these exports remained highly concentrated: more than two-thirds of all sunflower oil shipments went to just three countries—India, Iran, and Turkey.
Logistical constraints in the Azov-Black Sea basin—a route previously used for half of all shipments from the oil and fat sector—have served as an additional catalyst for diversifying export routes.
A Shift in Logistical Format and Port Activity
Experts identify a radical change in the format and logistics of trade operations as the primary driver and technological factor behind this rapid growth.
While in previous years finished sunflower oil was primarily transported in smaller volumes via containers, companies have now shifted to large-scale bulk shipments by sea.
An analysis of current port activity shows that almost the entire export flow of unrefined oil has been directed to the major foreign port of Sharjah. The transition to large-tonnage vessels has allowed exporters to significantly optimize logistics costs and ensure an unprecedented level of consistency in physical deliveries.
Prospects for Regional Dominance
The countries of the Middle East have historically served as a high-value, high-capacity market for Russian food ingredients. Currently, Turkey remains the largest buyer and the undisputed leader in the macro-region.
However, the United Arab Emirates, in particular, are demonstrating the most stable and rapid pace of integration, gradually evolving into a key distribution hub for Russian food products.
Experts from the relevant government agency emphasize that this process aligns fully with a global strategy to expand trade corridors, making it possible to reduce reliance on traditional European and Black Sea routes.
