Izvestia: The average consumption of beef in the Russian Federation has decreased by one kilogram over five years

A recent study by the National Retail Association (NRA) has found a notable decline in beef consumption in Russia over the past five years, with the per capita consumption dropping from 20% to 18% and the absolute consumption decreasing by 1 kg to 9 kg per person. This downward trend is expected to persist in 2022, with beef's share further reducing by 1.9%, while pork and poultry consumption is projected to increase by 5.9% and 2%, respectively. The primary reason behind this shift is the rising cost of beef, which is significantly higher than other protein sources, exacerbated by a 16% price increase in late 2022 and an anticipated 7% rise in 2023. To mitigate these price pressures, the Eurasian Economic Commission has set a zero customs duty quota for beef imports up to 100,000 tons for 2023, aiming to stabilize prices and support domestic producers through various government subsidies and initiatives. Despite these efforts, beef import dependency remains high, with approximately a quarter of the market share being imported.