Russian organic market continues to grow

According to a recent report of the Global Agriculture Information Network of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 2012, organic sales in Russia reached 148 million US dollars, which is 7.8 percent growth compared to 2011. The report informs extensively about the situation in the country.

In 2012, organic sales in Russia reached $148 million which is 7.8 percent growth compared to 2011. The lack of a Russian certification system continues to be a challenge to the steady expansion of demand for Russian organic food. Absent this, Russian producers keen to operate in the organic food market under the auspices of an official organic certifying body have to obtain official certification from third countries (e.g. the United States or EU) or to import the products from abroad which increases the final prices significantly.

In 2012, Russian industry and government collaborated on a draft law on the production of organic agricultural products that was introduced by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture in November 2012. The law is anticipated to come into force in 2015. This is expected to boost development of the Russian organic market in coming years and provide a benchmark for consumers who buy products labeled "organic".

Experts estimate future sales of organic products could reach 167 million US dollars in 2013 and up to 225 million US dollars in 2015. This growth will be also driven by new product development, improved distribution and increasing demand from more affluent Russian consumers.

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Olga Kolchevnikova (2013): Russian Organic Market Continues to Grow. GAIN Report Number RSATO1302, Febraury 25, 2013. Global Agriculture Information Network of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Washington. Available at gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Russian%20Organic%20Market%20Continues%20to%20Grow_Moscow%20ATO_Russian%20Federation_2-15-2013.pdf