W12 Chicken Eggs Update: Belarus Leads Surge in Russian Egg Imports to Stabilize Market Prices Amidst Domestic Shortages and Policy Initiatives

Published 2024년 4월 2일

In W12 in the chicken eggs landscape, Russia has seen a significant surge in egg imports from Belarus, along with smaller volumes from Azerbaijan and Türkiye in 2024, aiming to stabilize its egg market and counteract the previous upward price trend. This rise in imports, notably Belarus supplying 171.1 million eggs by March 18, 2024, compared to 53.5 million in the same period in 2023, is in response to soaring chicken egg prices in late 2023. To tackle domestic shortages and price instability, Russia initiated temporary duty-free egg imports from friendly countries alongside efforts to boost domestic production and reduce retail markups. Despite these measures, the average price of eggs remains high in Russia.

Russia Increases Up Egg Imports from Belarus to Counteract Price Surge

Recent data from Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) reveals a significant rise in Russian egg imports from Belarus in 2024. The substantial increase in egg imports from Belarus, alongside smaller volumes from Azerbaijan and Türkiye, aims to stabilize the Russian egg market and potentially reverse the upward price trend observed in late 2023.

As of March 18, 2024, Belarus has supplied Russia with 171.1 million eggs, indicating a 3.1-fold year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to the same period in 2023 (53.5 million eggs). While Belarus is the primary source, Russia has also imported eggs from Azerbaijan (25.3 million eggs) and Türkiye (12.3 million eggs) as of March 18, 2024.

This import increase intends to address price fluctuations in the Russian egg market. According to the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), chicken egg prices in Russia rose by 61.35% YoY in Dec-23 compared to Dec-22. While Dec-23 saw a significant price increase, data from March 13, 2024, suggests a 3.47% decrease in chicken egg prices in Russia since early Jan-24. This initial decline coincides with the rise in egg imports.

Russia Addresses Egg Shortage Through Duty-Free Imports

Russia's temporary duty-free chicken egg import policy, combined with efforts to increase domestic production and reduce retail markups, aims to address the egg shortage and stabilize market prices. In response to a significant rise in domestic egg prices and shortages observed since Sep-23, the Russian government implemented temporary measures to address market instability.

Duty-free imports of chicken eggs from "friendly countries" commenced on Jan-24 and are authorized until June-24. This policy aims to increase egg availability and stabilize prices. A quota of 1.2 billion eggs has been established for duty-free imports during the designated period. The Ministry of Agriculture collaborated with domestic egg producers to encourage increased output. Agreements with companies and retail chains led to reductions in egg markups, further contributing to price moderation.

As of March 17, 2024, Azerbaijan has supplied Russia with a total of over 20 million eggs across multiple shipments. Since the beginning of 2024, Belarus has exported 148 million eggs to Russia, exceeding its total exports in 2023 (53 million eggs). Türkiye has also contributed to import volumes, exporting 12.3 million eggs to Russia in 2024. More recently, Kazakhstan has entered the sourcing, exporting approximately 600 thousand eggs to Russia in Feb-24. Despite implemented measures, the average price of a dozen eggs in Russia continues to exceed USD 1.08 (RUB 100) and can reach as high as USD 1.62 (RUB 150).