Food production in Russia has fallen for the first time in 15 years

According to Forbes, in 2025, Russia recorded a decrease in food production for the first time since 2009. For the first time in 15 years, production is falling.

The decline in food production in the Russian Federation is associated with inflation, low demand and a record decline in investments

In January-September 2025, food production decreased by 0.6%, and beverages by 4.1% year-on-year.

At the same time, investments in new food industry projects fell almost in half – by 45-46% compared to the same period last year, returning to the level of 2013.

Analysts explain the decline by several factors at once:

• high inflation and rising costs, loans that are becoming more expensive;
• shortage of labor resources;
• demand decline: many Russians have switched to a more economical style of consumption, reducing food spending and abandoning “delicacies” in favor of basic products;
• high credit burden on companies – loan payments have increased significantly this year.

Some categories, such as canned vegetables and fruits or ready-made animal feed, showed growth. But this was not enough to compensate for the overall decline in production in the food industry.

This is an important signal: the industry, which for many years was considered one of the most stable, is now experiencing a crisis. The decline in production could lead to a shortage of certain goods, rising prices or even stronger import substitution (if Russia is forced to purchase more products from abroad).

Tags: Russia, food