Since the beginning of 2025, 15,000 tons of grain and processed grain products—including oats, rapeseed oil, flaxseeds, wheat bran, and meal—have been exported from Buryatia, marking a 3,500-ton increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to the Rosselkhoznadzor (Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) in the Irkutsk region and Buryatia, 99% of these exports went to China, with only 1% to Mongolia. This represents a significant shift from 2024, when the split was 99.5% to China and 0.5% to Mongolia.
Key Drivers Behind the Export Boom
- New Processing Plant in Ulan-Ude – The 2025 opening of a rapeseed and flaxseed oil production facility has significantly increased demand from China, where these products are highly sought after for food and industrial uses.
- Humanitarian Aid to Mongolia in 2024 – Last year’s exports to Mongolia were influenced by humanitarian aid shipments, which temporarily altered trade flows.
Ensuring Export Compliance
Before shipment, all products undergo strict inspections, sampling, and laboratory testing by the Irkutsk branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “VNIIZH” and the Baikal branch of “VNIIKR”. Since the start of 2025, 494 phytosanitary certificates have been issued, with all shipments meeting the importing countries’ requirements.
Global Trends in Grain and Oilseed Trade
China remains the world’s largest importer of agricultural commodities, with rapeseed oil imports reaching 1.2 million tons in 2024 (USDA). The demand for non-GMO and organic oilseeds is rising, positioning Buryatia as a key supplier due to its high-quality production standards.
Buryatia’s agricultural exports are increasingly China-centric, driven by new processing capabilities and strong demand for oilseeds. While Mongolia remains a minor buyer, the region’s ability to meet strict phytosanitary standards ensures continued growth in global markets. Farmers and agribusinesses should consider expanding rapeseed and flax cultivation to capitalize on this trend.
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