GITNUXREPORT 2026

Russia Dairy Industry Statistics

Russia's dairy industry shows steady growth in production, yield, and self-sufficiency.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Russia per capita dairy consumption was 320 kg in 2022.

Statistic 2

Milk consumption per capita dropped to 225 liters in 2023.

Statistic 3

Cheese consumption reached 8.2 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 4

Butter intake averaged 5.1 kg per person in 2023.

Statistic 5

Yogurt consumption grew 4.5% to 12 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 6

Urban population dairy intake was 345 kg per capita in 2023.

Statistic 7

Children under 3 consumed 180 liters of milk equivalent annually in 2022.

Statistic 8

Regional variation: Moscow per capita dairy 420 kg vs national 320 kg in 2023.

Statistic 9

Elderly dairy consumption averaged 280 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 10

School milk program reached 15 million liters daily in 2023.

Statistic 11

Household dairy expenditure was 4.2% of food budget in 2022.

Statistic 12

Fermented products consumption hit 65 kg per capita in 2023.

Statistic 13

Ice cream per capita consumption was 6.8 kg in summer 2022.

Statistic 14

Low-fat dairy preference rose to 42% of total consumption in 2023.

Statistic 15

Cottage cheese intake averaged 7.5 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 16

Sour cream consumption stood at 4.8 kg per person in 2023.

Statistic 17

Organic dairy consumption grew 15% to 2.1 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 18

Plant-based dairy alternatives captured 3.5% market share in 2023.

Statistic 19

Rural dairy consumption was 295 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 20

Sports nutrition dairy products consumption up 22% in 2023.

Statistic 21

Lactose-free dairy demand increased to 1.8 kg per capita in 2022.

Statistic 22

Functional dairy beverages consumed 18 liters per capita in 2023.

Statistic 23

Cheese varieties consumption: hard 4.2 kg, soft 2.1 kg in 2022.

Statistic 24

Dairy in HoReCa sector grew 8% to 12% of total in 2023.

Statistic 25

Per capita cream consumption was 2.9 kg in 2022.

Statistic 26

Kefir per capita intake reached 9.5 kg in 2023.

Statistic 27

Russia produced 650,000 tons of cheese in 2022, a 5.4% rise.

Statistic 28

Butter production volume was 285,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 29

Yogurt output reached 1.2 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 30

Whole milk powder production hit 145,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 31

Drinking milk production was 8.7 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 32

Sour cream production volume stood at 420,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 33

Cottage cheese output grew to 580,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 34

Ice cream production reached 450,000 tons in summer 2023.

Statistic 35

Skimmed milk powder production was 92,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 36

Fermented milk products totaled 2.1 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 37

Hard cheese production increased 7.2% to 210,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 38

Whey production volume was 1.8 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 39

Condensed milk output reached 180,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 40

Processed cheese production hit 95,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 41

Dairy desserts production grew 12% to 320,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 42

Butter cream production was 150,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 43

Soft cheese output stood at 45,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 44

Milk formula for infants production was 28,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 45

Ghee production volume reached 12,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 46

Dairy spreads output was 68,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 47

Blue cheese production hit 8,500 tons in 2023.

Statistic 48

Casein production from milk was 5,200 tons in 2022.

Statistic 49

Lactose production volume stood at 22,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 50

Milk protein concentrates output was 15,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 51

Ricotta cheese production grew to 3,200 tons in 2023.

Statistic 52

Dairy-based beverages production reached 950,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 53

Mozzarella production volume was 42,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 54

Cream production hit 1.45 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 55

Kefir output stood at 1.05 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 56

Russia dairy market size valued at 1.8 trillion rubles in 2022.

Statistic 57

Average retail milk price was 72 rubles per liter in 2023.

Statistic 58

Dairy industry employed 450,000 people in 2022.

Statistic 59

Investment in dairy sector reached 250 billion rubles in 2023.

Statistic 60

Producer milk price averaged 28 rubles/kg in 2022.

Statistic 61

Cheese wholesale price rose 12% to 550 rubles/kg in 2023.

Statistic 62

Dairy market CAGR projected at 3.5% through 2028.

Statistic 63

State subsidies to dairy farms: 45 billion rubles in 2022.

Statistic 64

Butter retail price hit 850 rubles/kg in 2023.

Statistic 65

Top 10 dairy companies held 45% market share in 2022.

Statistic 66

Yogurt price inflation was 8.2% in 2023.

Statistic 67

Dairy export revenue generated $450 million in 2022.

Statistic 68

Production costs for cheese averaged 420 rubles/kg in 2023.

Statistic 69

Retail dairy sales volume 12.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 70

Farmgate milk price premium for organic: 15 rubles/liter in 2023.

Statistic 71

Dairy processing capacity utilization 78% in 2022.

Statistic 72

E-commerce dairy sales grew 25% to 150 billion rubles in 2023.

Statistic 73

Cottage cheese producer margin 22% in 2022.

Statistic 74

Sour cream retail price 180 rubles/kg average in 2023.

Statistic 75

Dairy industry GDP contribution 0.8% in 2022.

Statistic 76

Ice cream market value 220 billion rubles in 2023.

Statistic 77

Milk powder import substitution saved 30 billion rubles in 2022.

Statistic 78

Wholesale cream price 250 rubles/kg in 2023.

Statistic 79

Kefir production profitability 18% average in 2022.

Statistic 80

Russia's raw milk production reached 32.15 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 2.1% increase from 2021.

Statistic 81

In 2023, the average milk yield per cow in Russia was 6,450 kg, up 3.2% year-over-year.

Statistic 82

Tatarstan region produced 2.47 million tons of milk in 2022, accounting for 7.7% of national output.

Statistic 83

Russia's dairy cattle herd numbered 7.82 million heads as of January 2023.

Statistic 84

In Q1 2024, milk production in Bashkortostan hit 512,000 tons, a record high.

Statistic 85

National milk production growth rate was 1.8% in 2023 compared to 2022.

Statistic 86

Udmurtia Republic's milk output was 1.12 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 87

Industrial milk processing volume reached 28.9 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 88

Per capita milk availability in Russia was 228 kg in 2022.

Statistic 89

Krasnodar Krai contributed 1.85 million tons of milk in 2023.

Statistic 90

Milk production from large farms exceeded 85% of total in 2023.

Statistic 91

Altai Krai milk production grew to 1.65 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 92

Russia's milk self-sufficiency rate reached 84.3% in 2023.

Statistic 93

Chelyabinsk Oblast produced 1.28 million tons of milk in 2023.

Statistic 94

Holstein breed contributed 62% of total milk yield in 2022.

Statistic 95

Rostov Oblast milk output was 1.05 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 96

Milk production costs averaged 22.5 rubles per liter in 2023.

Statistic 97

Sverdlovsk Oblast reached 912,000 tons of milk in 2022.

Statistic 98

Organic milk production volume was 45,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 99

Voronezh Oblast milk production hit 1.02 million tons in 2023.

Statistic 100

Milk productivity increased by 150 kg per cow in 2023 nationwide.

Statistic 101

Belgorod Oblast produced 892,000 tons of milk in 2022.

Statistic 102

Raw milk quality met Grade Extra in 78% of samples in 2023.

Statistic 103

Samara Oblast milk output grew 4.2% to 785,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 104

Dairy farm modernization supported 1,200 new facilities in 2022.

Statistic 105

Omsk Oblast milk production was 678,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 106

Milk yield per forage cow averaged 5,200 kg in 2022.

Statistic 107

Stavropol Krai produced 1.34 million tons of milk in 2023.

Statistic 108

National dairy cattle imports totaled 12,000 heads in 2023.

Statistic 109

Penza Oblast milk output reached 612,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 110

Russia exported 85,000 tons of dairy products in 2022.

Statistic 111

Dairy imports totaled 420,000 tons in 2023 despite sanctions.

Statistic 112

Cheese exports grew 18% to 25,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 113

Milk powder imports from Belarus reached 150,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 114

Butter exports to China hit 12,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 115

Dairy trade balance deficit narrowed to $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 116

Kazakhstan imported 45,000 tons of Russian cheese in 2022.

Statistic 117

Whey powder exports rose 25% to 35,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 118

Whole milk powder imports declined 15% to 95,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 119

Yogurt exports to EAEU countries totaled 8,500 tons in 2023.

Statistic 120

Skimmed milk powder from New Zealand: 28,000 tons imported in 2022.

Statistic 121

Cottage cheese exports grew to 4,200 tons in 2023.

Statistic 122

Dairy to Uzbekistan: 22,000 tons exported in 2022.

Statistic 123

Butter imports from Belarus were 65,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 124

Ice cream exports reached 5,800 tons in 2022.

Statistic 125

Casein imports totaled 3,500 tons from Argentina in 2023.

Statistic 126

Sour cream exports to Mongolia: 1,200 tons in 2022.

Statistic 127

Lactose exports grew 10% to 4,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 128

Dairy protein imports: 12,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 129

Hard cheese imports from EU dropped 90% post-sanctions in 2023.

Statistic 130

Milk formula imports: 15,000 tons mainly from Belarus in 2022.

Statistic 131

Ghee exports to Middle East: 800 tons in 2023.

Statistic 132

Dairy spreads trade volume: exports 2,500 tons in 2022.

Statistic 133

Blue cheese imports negligible at 150 tons in 2023.

Statistic 134

Ricotta exports minimal: 450 tons to EAEU in 2022.

1/134

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While dairy demand may be cooling in Russia, with per capita milk consumption dropping to 225 liters, the industry itself is steaming ahead, producing a record-breaking 32.15 million metric tons of raw milk and achieving an 84.3% self-sufficiency rate alongside rising yields, modernization investments, and booming regional output from powerhouses like Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.

Key Takeaways

Russia's raw milk production reached 32.15 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 2.1% increase from 2021.
In 2023, the average milk yield per cow in Russia was 6,450 kg, up 3.2% year-over-year.
Tatarstan region produced 2.47 million tons of milk in 2022, accounting for 7.7% of national output.
Russia produced 650,000 tons of cheese in 2022, a 5.4% rise.
Butter production volume was 285,000 tons in 2023.
Yogurt output reached 1.2 million tons in 2022.
Russia per capita dairy consumption was 320 kg in 2022.
Milk consumption per capita dropped to 225 liters in 2023.
Cheese consumption reached 8.2 kg per capita in 2022.
Russia exported 85,000 tons of dairy products in 2022.
Dairy imports totaled 420,000 tons in 2023 despite sanctions.
Cheese exports grew 18% to 25,000 tons in 2022.
Russia dairy market size valued at 1.8 trillion rubles in 2022.
Average retail milk price was 72 rubles per liter in 2023.
Dairy industry employed 450,000 people in 2022.

Russia's dairy industry shows steady growth in production, yield, and self-sufficiency.

Consumption

Russia per capita dairy consumption was 320 kg in 2022.
Milk consumption per capita dropped to 225 liters in 2023.
Cheese consumption reached 8.2 kg per capita in 2022.
Butter intake averaged 5.1 kg per person in 2023.
Yogurt consumption grew 4.5% to 12 kg per capita in 2022.
Urban population dairy intake was 345 kg per capita in 2023.
Children under 3 consumed 180 liters of milk equivalent annually in 2022.
Regional variation: Moscow per capita dairy 420 kg vs national 320 kg in 2023.
Elderly dairy consumption averaged 280 kg per capita in 2022.
School milk program reached 15 million liters daily in 2023.
Household dairy expenditure was 4.2% of food budget in 2022.
Fermented products consumption hit 65 kg per capita in 2023.
Ice cream per capita consumption was 6.8 kg in summer 2022.
Low-fat dairy preference rose to 42% of total consumption in 2023.
Cottage cheese intake averaged 7.5 kg per capita in 2022.
Sour cream consumption stood at 4.8 kg per person in 2023.
Organic dairy consumption grew 15% to 2.1 kg per capita in 2022.
Plant-based dairy alternatives captured 3.5% market share in 2023.
Rural dairy consumption was 295 kg per capita in 2022.
Sports nutrition dairy products consumption up 22% in 2023.
Lactose-free dairy demand increased to 1.8 kg per capita in 2022.
Functional dairy beverages consumed 18 liters per capita in 2023.
Cheese varieties consumption: hard 4.2 kg, soft 2.1 kg in 2022.
Dairy in HoReCa sector grew 8% to 12% of total in 2023.
Per capita cream consumption was 2.9 kg in 2022.
Kefir per capita intake reached 9.5 kg in 2023.

Consumption Interpretation

While Russians are drinking less plain milk, they are clearly making up for it by fermenting, churning, and cheesing their way to a diversified dairy portfolio, as evidenced by booming yogurt, kefir, and specialty cheese consumption even as national averages mask a milky divide between urban Moscow and the countryside.

Dairy Product Production

Russia produced 650,000 tons of cheese in 2022, a 5.4% rise.
Butter production volume was 285,000 tons in 2023.
Yogurt output reached 1.2 million tons in 2022.
Whole milk powder production hit 145,000 tons in 2023.
Drinking milk production was 8.7 million tons in 2022.
Sour cream production volume stood at 420,000 tons in 2023.
Cottage cheese output grew to 580,000 tons in 2022.
Ice cream production reached 450,000 tons in summer 2023.
Skimmed milk powder production was 92,000 tons in 2022.
Fermented milk products totaled 2.1 million tons in 2023.
Hard cheese production increased 7.2% to 210,000 tons in 2023.
Whey production volume was 1.8 million tons in 2022.
Condensed milk output reached 180,000 tons in 2023.
Processed cheese production hit 95,000 tons in 2022.
Dairy desserts production grew 12% to 320,000 tons in 2023.
Butter cream production was 150,000 tons in 2022.
Soft cheese output stood at 45,000 tons in 2023.
Milk formula for infants production was 28,000 tons in 2022.
Ghee production volume reached 12,000 tons in 2023.
Dairy spreads output was 68,000 tons in 2022.
Blue cheese production hit 8,500 tons in 2023.
Casein production from milk was 5,200 tons in 2022.
Lactose production volume stood at 22,000 tons in 2023.
Milk protein concentrates output was 15,000 tons in 2022.
Ricotta cheese production grew to 3,200 tons in 2023.
Dairy-based beverages production reached 950,000 tons in 2022.
Mozzarella production volume was 42,000 tons in 2023.
Cream production hit 1.45 million tons in 2022.
Kefir output stood at 1.05 million tons in 2023.

Dairy Product Production Interpretation

While cheese production grows steadily, Russia's dairy sector seems to be milking every last drop for all it's worth, churning out a veritable smorgasbord from 8.7 million tons of drinking milk to 8,500 tons of artisanal blue.

Economic

Russia dairy market size valued at 1.8 trillion rubles in 2022.
Average retail milk price was 72 rubles per liter in 2023.
Dairy industry employed 450,000 people in 2022.
Investment in dairy sector reached 250 billion rubles in 2023.
Producer milk price averaged 28 rubles/kg in 2022.
Cheese wholesale price rose 12% to 550 rubles/kg in 2023.
Dairy market CAGR projected at 3.5% through 2028.
State subsidies to dairy farms: 45 billion rubles in 2022.
Butter retail price hit 850 rubles/kg in 2023.
Top 10 dairy companies held 45% market share in 2022.
Yogurt price inflation was 8.2% in 2023.
Dairy export revenue generated $450 million in 2022.
Production costs for cheese averaged 420 rubles/kg in 2023.
Retail dairy sales volume 12.5 million tons in 2022.
Farmgate milk price premium for organic: 15 rubles/liter in 2023.
Dairy processing capacity utilization 78% in 2022.
E-commerce dairy sales grew 25% to 150 billion rubles in 2023.
Cottage cheese producer margin 22% in 2022.
Sour cream retail price 180 rubles/kg average in 2023.
Dairy industry GDP contribution 0.8% in 2022.
Ice cream market value 220 billion rubles in 2023.
Milk powder import substitution saved 30 billion rubles in 2022.
Wholesale cream price 250 rubles/kg in 2023.
Kefir production profitability 18% average in 2022.

Economic Interpretation

The Russian dairy sector is a study in creamy contradictions, where state-subsidized cows yield a market big enough to employ a small city, yet the real profit seems to be found in the widening spread between what a farmer earns for a liter of milk and what a consumer pays for a block of cheese.

Milk Production

Russia's raw milk production reached 32.15 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 2.1% increase from 2021.
In 2023, the average milk yield per cow in Russia was 6,450 kg, up 3.2% year-over-year.
Tatarstan region produced 2.47 million tons of milk in 2022, accounting for 7.7% of national output.
Russia's dairy cattle herd numbered 7.82 million heads as of January 2023.
In Q1 2024, milk production in Bashkortostan hit 512,000 tons, a record high.
National milk production growth rate was 1.8% in 2023 compared to 2022.
Udmurtia Republic's milk output was 1.12 million tons in 2023.
Industrial milk processing volume reached 28.9 million tons in 2022.
Per capita milk availability in Russia was 228 kg in 2022.
Krasnodar Krai contributed 1.85 million tons of milk in 2023.
Milk production from large farms exceeded 85% of total in 2023.
Altai Krai milk production grew to 1.65 million tons in 2022.
Russia's milk self-sufficiency rate reached 84.3% in 2023.
Chelyabinsk Oblast produced 1.28 million tons of milk in 2023.
Holstein breed contributed 62% of total milk yield in 2022.
Rostov Oblast milk output was 1.05 million tons in 2023.
Milk production costs averaged 22.5 rubles per liter in 2023.
Sverdlovsk Oblast reached 912,000 tons of milk in 2022.
Organic milk production volume was 45,000 tons in 2023.
Voronezh Oblast milk production hit 1.02 million tons in 2023.
Milk productivity increased by 150 kg per cow in 2023 nationwide.
Belgorod Oblast produced 892,000 tons of milk in 2022.
Raw milk quality met Grade Extra in 78% of samples in 2023.
Samara Oblast milk output grew 4.2% to 785,000 tons in 2023.
Dairy farm modernization supported 1,200 new facilities in 2022.
Omsk Oblast milk production was 678,000 tons in 2023.
Milk yield per forage cow averaged 5,200 kg in 2022.
Stavropol Krai produced 1.34 million tons of milk in 2023.
National dairy cattle imports totaled 12,000 heads in 2023.
Penza Oblast milk output reached 612,000 tons in 2022.

Milk Production Interpretation

While Russia’s dairy sector is dutifully churning out more milk from more productive cows, its stubborn 84.3% self-sufficiency rate reveals it's still a few cows short of a full herd.

Trade

Russia exported 85,000 tons of dairy products in 2022.
Dairy imports totaled 420,000 tons in 2023 despite sanctions.
Cheese exports grew 18% to 25,000 tons in 2022.
Milk powder imports from Belarus reached 150,000 tons in 2023.
Butter exports to China hit 12,000 tons in 2022.
Dairy trade balance deficit narrowed to $1.2 billion in 2023.
Kazakhstan imported 45,000 tons of Russian cheese in 2022.
Whey powder exports rose 25% to 35,000 tons in 2023.
Whole milk powder imports declined 15% to 95,000 tons in 2022.
Yogurt exports to EAEU countries totaled 8,500 tons in 2023.
Skimmed milk powder from New Zealand: 28,000 tons imported in 2022.
Cottage cheese exports grew to 4,200 tons in 2023.
Dairy to Uzbekistan: 22,000 tons exported in 2022.
Butter imports from Belarus were 65,000 tons in 2023.
Ice cream exports reached 5,800 tons in 2022.
Casein imports totaled 3,500 tons from Argentina in 2023.
Sour cream exports to Mongolia: 1,200 tons in 2022.
Lactose exports grew 10% to 4,000 tons in 2023.
Dairy protein imports: 12,000 tons in 2022.
Hard cheese imports from EU dropped 90% post-sanctions in 2023.
Milk formula imports: 15,000 tons mainly from Belarus in 2022.
Ghee exports to Middle East: 800 tons in 2023.
Dairy spreads trade volume: exports 2,500 tons in 2022.
Blue cheese imports negligible at 150 tons in 2023.
Ricotta exports minimal: 450 tons to EAEU in 2022.

Trade Interpretation

Russia’s dairy industry is like a frugal home cook who, while diligently packing lunches for the neighbors (exporting cheese and whey), still has to do a massive weekly grocery haul from abroad just to keep the family fridge stocked.

Sources & References

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