World meat industry news

Cherkizovo Group (Petelinka and Cherkizovo brands), Russia’s largest meat producer, has reported a significant increase in its global exports, boosting them by 38% in 2019. In monetary terms, the Company’s overseas sales surged by 78%.

In 2019, Cherkizovo Group's exports totalled 50,000 tonnes, up 38% from the previous year. This growth was mostly driven by the poultry market, which recorded a 50% increase to 34,000 tonnes following China’s decision to open up its market to Russian companies last year. This market accounted for over 40%, or 14,000 tonnes, of the Company’s poultry exports.

“The green light given to Russian poultry by China has been a major factor in the rise of Cherkizovo’s exports. A number of lucrative contracts were signed with Chinese partners in 2019, allowing Russian companies to supply a wide range of poultry products, including the country's favorite chicken feet, along with chicken thighs, hips and breast fillets, all of which are set to appear in the largest local retail chains and restaurants,” said Andrei Terekhin, Head of Exports at Trading Company Cherkizovo.

Cherkizovo Group’s pork exports increased by 35% to 11,000 tonnes, while turkey sales shrank by 10% to 1,500 tonnes. Sausage exports plateaued, remaining at their 2018 level of 4,000 tonnes.

The Company's revenue from exports grew by 78% to RUB 5.7 bn*. Export sales of chicken, turkey and pork increased by 131%, 33% and 25% respectively to reach RUB 3.8 bn, RUB 0.2 bn and RUB 1.3 bn. Meanwhile, sausage sales brought in RUB 0.4 bn, representing a 12% increase on the same time last year.

“In 2020, Cherkizovo plans to carry on significantly boosting its exports by expanding its offering and sales channels in the existing markets and, also, by penetrating new markets in Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia,” explained Andrei Terekhin.