The Rostov region exported $9 billion worth of agricultural products in 2023, which is almost 25% more than the previous year, Konstantin Rachalovsky, Deputy Governor and Minister of Agriculture and Food of the region, told Interfax.
“Despite external challenges, exports of agricultural products increased by 24.7% in monetary terms. More than 30 million tons of products have been exported,” he said.
Agricultural products were supplied to almost 100 countries. “Angola and Mexico, Indonesia have become new markets. Sales to friendly African countries have increased significantly, exceeding a quarter of the total agricultural exports of the Rostov region,” Rachalovsky said.
He added that China is one of the promising areas for growth in sales volumes of products manufactured in the region. Last year, almost 660 thousand tons of agricultural products were delivered there for a total of $293 million, which is more than three times higher than in 2022.
The main share in total exports – about 71% – is occupied by grains. “The volume of grain exports, according to preliminary results of the year, amounted to 25.9 million tons worth $6.5 billion. Oil and fat industry products account for 16%, other agricultural products, including food, 13%,” said the vice-governor.
According to him, the export volume of fat and oil products amounted to 2.2 million tons worth $1.5 billion, sunflower oil - 1.3 million tons worth $1.3 billion, other agricultural products - 2.5 million tons worth $787.1 million.