Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
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Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev addressed the plenary session of the 17th Congress of the National Union of Milk Producers. The Deputy Prime Minister summarized the year's results, outlined key objectives for the segment's further development, and answered questions from industry representatives.
"The dairy sector continues to grow steadily. According to preliminary data, 2025 was a record year for us. Raw milk production in Russia reached 34.3 million tons. This is the highest level in almost 30 years. The increased volume of raw materials allows us to ensure full utilization of processing plants. Positive production trends have been maintained across the main categories of dairy products. In particular, the output of powdered and drinking milk has increased, and the production of butter, cheese, and cottage cheese has increased. Thus, our domestic market is provided with a wide range of dairy products. And this contributed to the continued positive trend in per capita milk consumption last year," noted Dmitry Patrushev.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that domestic production volumes allow for stronger trade ties with foreign partners. From 2019 to 2024, export revenue from Russian dairy products increased by 60%, and last year, it increased by another 13%, with some products experiencing growth of nearly 30%.
During his speech, Dmitry Patrushev recalled that the Russian President's decree on national development goals sets a new benchmark for increasing agricultural production. Based on this, according to the Ministry of Agriculture's calculations, at least 38.5 million tons of raw milk must be produced annually by 2030.
This requires working to maintain the industry's investment appeal. The government, for its part, is providing extensive financial support to the dairy sector. Preliminary financial support for 2025 is estimated at 77 billion rubles, double the 2020 level.
The range of government support instruments is constantly expanding and adapting to the current situation. Specifically, preferential lending for milk producers has been maintained, with borrowers able to obtain loans at rates of up to 6.8%. Furthermore, subsidies for the export of priority dairy products will continue in 2026. Other mechanisms, including partial reimbursement of costs for the construction of dairy complexes, also remain available.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, increasing milk and dairy production requires reducing production costs. In the processing sector, this can be achieved primarily through further robotization of processes, and in livestock farming, by reducing product and resource losses. This requires improving the quality of feed and further automating production.
Strengthening genetic potential is also crucial. To this end, the state is encouraging the development of genomic selection as part of the national project "Technological Support for Food Security." Breeding farms are reimbursed up to 70% of the costs of molecular genetic testing of cattle.
The research results will be entered into the federal state information system for breeding resources, which will be operational on March 1 of this year and will form the basis for the creation of Russia's first domestic database of breeding animals.
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