Russia relies on halal to strengthen its agricultural exports

Russia is accelerating in halal. In five years, the country’s exports of halal products have jumped 86%, reaching $388 million in 2025. Poultry accounts for the bulk of this growth, with $252 million exported this year, mainly to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

If Riyadh remains by far the leading outlet — alone absorbing 76% of Russian halal exports — Moscow is now seeking to reduce this dependence by opening new markets. Russia is thus increasing its initiatives in Southeast Asia and North Africa: Malaysia recently received its first shipment of halal Russian turkey, while exports to Jordan, Kuwait, Turkey and Egypt are progressing strongly. Beyond poultry, Russian manufacturers are also focusing on halal dairy products. For Moscow, this market represents a strategic growth driver as food consumption in Muslim countries could reach $1.9 trillion by 2028.

In this dynamic, the Russian quality agency Roskachestvo and the employers’ organization Opora Russia signed a three-year agreement to strengthen halal standards and support Russian SMEs in exporting. This Russian breakthrough illustrates the transformation of halal into a real geoeconomic issue. Faced with Western sanctions and the reconfiguration of global trade, Moscow is seeking to consolidate its foothold in Muslim markets by banking on a competitive and certified offer. But this strategy remains fragile: the strong dependence on the Saudi market still exposes the sector to diplomatic and regulatory variations in the Gulf. Diversification towards Asia and Africa therefore appears as much as a commercial opportunity as a strategic necessity to secure the growth of the sector.