The Russian Agricultural Ministry has announced a new draft decree aimed at extending state support for hatching egg production for an additional five years, through to 2030. This strategy is primarily designed to decrease the reliance of the Russian turkey industry on imported hatching eggs.
The ministry asserts that the state assistance for domestic hatcheries has been effective. From 2022 to 2025, this initiative has encouraged investments in 11 new projects, enhancing capacity to accommodate around 980,000 poultry. Consequently, Russian hatching egg production rose by an estimated 1.3 billion units.
According to the ministry’s explanatory note, “The support measures have successfully established breeding stock for industrial poultry production in Russia, thereby ensuring the consistent operation of poultry farms and a continual increase in poultry production.”
Improved Broiler Segment
Notably, Russian broiler production has seen a reduction in its reliance on imported hatching eggs, now standing at 11%, which marks a decrease of 7% from the 2021 figures.
The Russian government supports hatching egg production through various initiatives, including soft loans with subsidized interest rates and reimbursement of capital costs related to the construction and modernization of production facilities.
Turkey Production Challenges
Conversely, the turkey segment remains entirely dependent on imported hatching eggs, as acknowledged by the Ministry. The ministry also highlighted concerns regarding the “unstable epizootic situation” in exporting countries, such as Canada, Germany, and France, which can lead to shortages in breeding stock.
Growth in Turkey Production
Over the past decade, turkey production in Russia has increased fourfold, reaching 435,000 tonnes in 2024. This accomplishment has positioned Russia as the second-largest turkey exporter globally.
From January to June 2025, Russia exported 17,500 tonnes of turkey valued at approximately $50 million, reflecting a 30% increase in value compared to the previous year, according to Agroexport, a Russian governmental agency dedicated to promoting agricultural exports.
Key Export Markets
The primary export markets include China, accounting for $17.7 million, followed by the UAE at $8.6 million, Benin at $7.7 million, and Saudi Arabia at $4 million.
The Russian Agricultural Ministry anticipates that the extended state support measures will lead to a further increase in domestic hatching egg production by 2.5 billion units over the next five years. Additionally, this move is expected to mitigate the veterinary risks posed by hatching egg imports, thereby strengthening the overall health of the Russian poultry sector.
