Veterinary medicine market grew by 10.3% in early 2026

In the first two months of 2026, the retail veterinary medicine market in Russia demonstrated steady growth driven by high demand for vaccination products and rapid online sales development.

From January to February 2026, 41.5 million minimum dosage units (MDU) of veterinary medicines were sold in Russia, including online retail. This is 10.3% higher than the same period last year in volume. Total consumer spending reached 6.2 billion rubles (approx. $81.6 million) including VAT, which is 5.5% above the January-February 2025 level.

Specific activity was recorded in February, when consumers purchased more than 21 million MDU worth almost 3.3 billion rubles (approx. $43.4 million). Long-term dynamics compared to February 2025 showed a 5.4% increase in value and a 7.9% increase in volume.

This growth continues the trend from the record-breaking 2025, when RNC Pharma analysts reported the market grew by 17.7% to reach 49.2 billion rubles (approx. $647.4 million).

Typically, the peak demand on the veterinary market occurs in April. However, in 2025, due to abnormally warm weather, the seasonal surge shifted to March, accompanied by active purchases of antiparasitic and antiemetic medicines.

In early 2026, the demand structure changed, shifting focus toward vaccines. Sales of the Asterion complex vaccine by Vetbiokhim increased 2.5 times in volume. Sales of Vanguard veterinary medicine by Zoetis increased 16.5 times relative to the first months of 2025.

In the antiepileptic medicine segment, sales of gabapentin-based products quadrupled. Researchers attribute this to the fact that since March 1, 2026, gabapentin for medical use was moved to the list of subject-to-quantitative accounting drugs. New rules made it impossible to purchase it in regular pharmacies without a prescription, redistributing demand toward the veterinary market.

Volume growth in the veterinary medicine market is currently entirely driven by the online channel. The share of internet sales in January-February 2026 reached 29.4% in value and 28.6% in volume, compared to 20.2% a year earlier. Sales in the e-commerce segment grew by 56% in volume units. In traditional retail, demand stagnated with a 3% increase in rubles and a 1% decrease in volume.

Experts previously noted that online veterinary pharmacies began to outpace the offline segment in growth rates. This is confirmed by 2025 year-end data, showing the e-commerce share in the market structure reached 27.9%.