Russian milk import costs from Belarus see initial drop in two years
Breaking Down the Big Dairy Drop: Belarusian Exports to Russia Take a Dive
It's time to talk numbers, folks! The Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Belarus has made some major moves when it comes to dairy prices, especially for those products destined for Russia. Let's dive in!
In an unexpected twist, the prices for certain Belarusian dairy exports to Russia have seen a significant drop based on the recent Decree No. 36 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, effective April 24. This is the first adjustment to the pricing since... well, April 2023! That's a pretty long stretch, right? 🤯
Now, why the change all of a sudden? Let's break it down:
- Milk and cream, in powder, granules, or other solid forms, with a fat content of more than 1.5%, without added sugar or sweeteners, has dropped a solid 20 Russian rubles, making the new price per kilogram 400 rubles.
- Butter fans won't be left out either! The price of butter has reduced by 100 Russian rubles:
- If it contains more than 72% but less than 80% fat, the cost per kilogram is now 630 rubles.
- If it boasts a whopping 80% or more fat content, you'll be shelling out 700 rubles per kilo.
But that's not all, folks! This price slash comes as a response to changing trade dynamics. Turns out, Russia started broadening its butter import sources to include countries like Azerbaijan, Uruguay, and Argentina by February 2025[1]. This move likely did some damage to Belarus's dairy sales to Russia.
Belarus initially bumped up the minimum prices for some dairy exports to Russia starting in March 2025, but the decreased imports could signal a reaction from the Russian market to these price hikes and competition from other suppliers[1].
As for the timeline, this downward pricing movement aligns with these trade adjustments that kicked into gear around early 2025, right after a stint of stable prices since April 2023. Belarus enjoyed a 3.8% increase in milk production during early 2025, but the overall growth in the agro-industrial complex slowed, potentially affecting supply and pricing strategies[2]. On the flip side, Russian dairy production remained stable or even saw some moderate growth, with a reported surge in domestic yogurt production for 2024, suggesting a reduced dependence on Belarusian imports[1].
In the end, it all boils down to these points:
- Russia sliced its imports of butter and dairy from Belarus in favor of other countries as early as February 2025.
- Belarus raised export minimum prices in March 2025, which might've encouraged Russian buyers to go in search of cheaper alternatives.
- Moderate or stable Russian dairy production decreased import demand.
- Slowing growth in Belarus’s agro-industrial complex may have impacted pricing and supply strategies[1][2].
And there you have it! The intricate dance between Belarus and Russia's dairy markets, all laid out for you. To be continued, of course! 🥛🇷🇧🇷🇦🍦
The sudden drop in prices for certain Belarusian dairy exports to Russia, as stated in Decree No. 36 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, affects products like milk, cream, and butter, with prices per kilogram now at 400 rubles for milk and cream, 630 rubles for butter with 72% to less than 80% fat content, and 700 rubles for butter with 80% or more fat content. This price adjustment coincides with Russia broadening its butter import sources to countries such as Azerbaijan, Uruguay, and Argentina, and Belarus raising minimum prices for some dairy exports, which could signal a response to competition and reduced import demand from Russia.
