Russia imported 15,800 tonnes of pet food in April–June 2026, up 21.6% from the same period a year earlier. Pet food production in Russia rose 14.3% to 443,400 tonnes, according to data from the Centre for Development of Advanced Technologies cited by Kommersant.

Although imports grew faster, domestic output was 28 times higher than import volumes. Dry pet food and treats accounted for almost 90% of imports.

Low base and stronger ruble drive import growth

Irina Golovchenko, CEO of Valta Pet Products, attributes the rapid growth mainly to a low comparison base. She estimates that imports in 2025 were around 15% of their pre-2022 volume.

Shipments from some foreign manufacturers have also resumed after they addressed concerns raised by Rosselkhoznadzor. Specialised products, including single-protein and dietetic pet food, now account for most imports.

Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline Analytics, also points to the stronger ruble, which has made imported products more competitive on price. Kirill Dmitriev, president of the National Pet Industry Association (NPIA), says the figures may reflect both higher shipment volumes and a shift toward imports recorded through official channels.

Imports remain relevant in specialised categories

Dmitriev estimates that imported products accounted for 3–4% of the Russian pet food market in 2025. Imports remain most significant in the premium segment and specialised veterinary diets, where production in Russia does not yet fully meet demand.

Russia has an established pet food production base. Zooinform estimates that the country has at least 12 large and medium-sized dry pet food production sites and at least nine wet pet food facilities. Domestic producers supply much of the mass market, while imports remain important for specialised diets, premixes, certain amino acids, flavouring and functional additives, and some types of packaging. The recent import growth therefore appears to reflect a recovery in the range of specialised products rather than renewed broad dependence on imported finished pet food.

Strategy Partners forecasts that pet food production in Russia will grow 4.8% in 2026, while consumption will rise 1.9%. It estimates a potential surplus of 111,000 tonnes, which could reach 178,000 tonnes by 2029. Producers in Russia are therefore expanding exports, primarily to countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East.