This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 8/14/2019

Overview

Food production and processing represents a key component of Russia's economy. Over the past 10 years, the import of food processing and packaging equipment has doubled in Russia and accounts for 87% of the market.  The food and food processing industry accounts for 11.5% of total output sectors in Russia and consists of more than 30 industries and includes 43,000 active organizations. The faster pace of life in Russia in recent years has spurred demand for products suitable for on-the-go consumption.  Easy storage and increased shelf life of packaged foods make them more attractive to the modern Russian consumer, and modern retail formats continue to develop.

In 2018, food production in Russia increased by 4.7%, while drink production increased by 3%, according to Infoline, one of the leading research agencies in Russia. This growth was mainly due to import restrictions stimulating domestic production and competitive prices of domestic products on local and international markets.

Processing of potatoes (+ 30.6%) and vegetables (+ 17.2%) underwent significant growth in 2018. Production of canned and preserved fish increased by 45.4% due to record catches of sea fish and seafood, and expansion of production capacity. Since 2007, investments in the country's seafood industry have increased almost 10 times to $216 million.

Globally, Russia has the eighth largest market for packaged food products with 27.5 million tons of trade volume, as well as beverages (alcoholic and soft) with a trade volume of 26 billion liters.  The growth of personal income in Russia led to a higher standard of living and a favorable consumer climate.  The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) segment has remained the most stable sub-sector, even during the 2014-2015 economic downturn, with a 79% share of food products. Additionally, the demand for packaged products is expected to increase and reach 29 million tons by 2020.

Government policies in the food and agriculture sectors offer U.S. food processing and packaging technology providers new commercial opportunities.  The domestic consumer goods and packaging industry is under pressure to improve its competitive edge and offset the decline in imports.  The ban on imports of food from a number of countries, along with the Russian government’s import substitution policy, means that the Russian food industry will continue to develop and expand in a favorable competitive environment, incentivizing investment in modern technology for processing and packaging.

Western companies are expecting an upturn and consider this a confirmation of their policy of maintaining business contacts in difficult years.  There is a positive outlook for the plastics and packaging industries and the food processing industry.  Great demand for foreign technologies in Russia remains, and there is a special need for further optimization of the production of consumer goods, food and packaging. The volume of imported food processing and packaging equipment in Russia amounted to about $2 billion in 2018.

The Russian food production equipment market is highly competitive and price sensitive.  The following equipment manufacturers are working in the Russian market: Wynveen International BV, Nivoba BV, Meyn Food Processing Technology BV (Netherlands), Winkler und Dünnebier Süßwarenmaschinen GmbH, Kraft Foods Deutschland Services GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Bühler AG (Switzerland), Ferrero SpA (Italy), Haarslev Industries A / S (Denmark), Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen GmbH (Austria) and others. At the moment, German manufacturers continue to lead the list of suppliers of food and packaging machinery in Russia.

The Russian packaging market consists of the following segments: metal (10%), glass (12%), soft plastic (21%), hard plastic (21%), paper and cardboard (36%).  There are currently more than 2,000 companies involved in the packaging process in Russia’s six major regions (Central, Ural, Siberian, North-Western, Volga and Southern federal districts).  There are about 900 companies involved in the production or distribution of packaging machinery.

Russian food and food processing industry enterprises often buy equipment directly from manufacturers, and large businesses enterprises typically prefer new, imported equipment.  Less expensive, second-hand models are often purchased by small- and medium-sized businesses.

Leading Sub-Sectors

The best opportunities exist for high value-added processing and energy-efficient equipment in of the following sub-sectors:
•              Meat and poultry processing equipment (the highest demand is in turkey processing and packaging);
•              Food processing equipment for the restaurant industry ;
•              Rendering equipment;
•              Fruit and vegetable processing and packaging equipment;
•              Dairy processing and packaging equipment;
•              Baking equipment, both for small bakeries and large bread-making factories.

Trade Events

RosUpak
June 18-21, 2019
Moscow, Russia

Agroprodmash
October 7-11, 2019
Moscow, Russia

Upakovka
January 28-31, 2020
Moscow, Russia

Web Resources

Ministry of Agriculture
ProdIndustry professional industry journal
UNIPACK, major packaging industry web portal

U.S. Commercial Service Contact
Olga Ivanova, Commercial Specialist
Phone: +7 (495) 728-5556
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.