Record soybean harvest in 2025 paves the way for the Russian leading soybean processor, Sodrugestvo, to kick off exports from its capacities in the Kaliningrad region, a Russian exclave in Europe.
Sodrugestvo signs first Turkey contract
Sodrugestvo has signed the first contract to export soybean meal from the Kaliningrad region to a country far abroad—a Russian term for countries outside the post-Soviet space —as reported by the Russian publication Agroinvestor.
Under this agreement, 25,000 tonnes of soybean meal will be exported to Turkey in January 2026, Alexey Mramornov, Sodrugestvo commercial director, told the publication. The trade is projected to expand in the coming months.
500,000 tonnes processing potential foreseen
According to Mramornov, at current soybean prices on the Russian market, exports to several other countries abroad make clear economic sense.
“By the end of the season, we see the potential to process up to 500,000 tons of Russian soybeans in Kaliningrad for shipments to non-CIS [outside of post-Soviet space] countries,” Mramornov said.
A possible weakening of the Russian rouble could further spur the export potential.
Record 2025 soybean production boosts
According to IKAR, a Russian agricultural market consultancy, soybean harvest in the European part of Russia is set to reach a new high in 2025.
In the Central Federal District, production is forecast to reach 4.6 million tonnes, up from 3.6 million tonnes a year earlier. In the Volga Federal District, output is set to jump to 1.1 million tonnes, up from 650,000 tonnes in 2024.
IKAR has already projected a mass export of Russian soybean meal in the 2025/2026 agricultural year, when it became clear that the soybean market in the European part of the country would see a production surplus for the first time ever, Dmitry Rylko, IKAR CEO, noted.
In addition to Turkey, IKAR analysts expect Russian soybean meal to be exported to several countries in North Africa and Israel.
Export duty favours meal shipments
Given that soybeans are subject to a 20% export duty in Russia, it is likely that Russian companies will prioritise soybean meal exports, Rylko added.
Sodrugestvo noted that only the soybean meal of Russian origin would be exported to Turkey.
GMO import waiver excludes domestic
It is not clear whether Russian soybean processors use a Russian government waiver issued in June 2025 that allows imports of genetically modified soybeans.
This 1-year decree, which took effect, makes imports of GMO soybeans into the country legal under a crucial condition: the resulting animal feed must be exported and is banned for domestic consumption. The import of GM soybeans for domestic use remains prohibited.
