Blueberries topped the ranking of the most in-demand berries during the summer season, according to the delivery service "Kuper". Earlier, "Samokat" also recorded a high dynamic in its sales. Top-3 most popular berries in the summer of 2026: Blueberries; Sweet cherries; Strawberries. Last year, strawberries held the lead, but they have now dropped to third place. Besides fresh berries, there was a growing demand for berry desserts. Chocolate-covered raspberries showed the strongest dynamic: their sales across Russia surged almost 9-fold year-on-year, 5.4-fold in Moscow, and 4.6-fold in St. Petersburg. Noticeable growth was also observed in berry pudding—up 4.5 times—and panna cotta, which more than doubled. The most popular berry dessert was jelly. Among fillings, cherry took first place. Demand for wild strawberry-filled desserts grew the fastest, increasing more than 7-fold. Sales of raspberry desserts rose by 43%, blackcurrant by 17.6%, and blueberry by 3.6%. For the Chinese food market, the rising popularity of blueberries and berry desserts in Russia indicates expanding demand for berries and processed berry products. Chinese manufacturers of frozen berries, jams, and confectionery fillings may consider the Russian market a promising destination. However, high competition from local suppliers and strict requirements for quality and shelf life necessitate the establishment of highly stable logistics.

In the second quarter of 2026, the average combined cost of commissions and logistics on Russia's largest marketplaces exceeded 40% of a product's base price for the first time. These data were provided by the Association of E-commerce Representatives (APET). Over the past year, the platforms have sharply increased the financial burden on sellers. On Ozon, the total deduction rate surged from 18.6% to 47.8%; on Wildberries, it rose from 31.9% to 42.7%; and on Yandex Market, from 24.9% to 40.1%. Askar Rakhimberdiev, CEO of the MoySklad service, noted that from a buyer's perspective, marketplaces are no longer the cheapest retail channel. Today, the exact same product can often be found at a lower price on the seller's own website or in traditional brick-and-mortar stores. For the Chinese food market, the rise in deductions on Russian marketplaces significantly drives up the costs of selling food products online. Under these conditions, it is becoming more profitable for Chinese exporters and manufacturers to develop direct supplies to traditional retail chains or to utilize their own sales channels. At the same time, high base rates may push large suppliers—capable of guaranteeing stable volumes—into tough negotiations for special commercial terms. This situation also opens up new "windows of opportunity" for niche e-grocery delivery services with more attractive commission policies.

The total gross value of global agricultural production reached $5.2 trillion in 2024, according to the Telegram channel Central Asia Now. China took first place with $1.9 trillion. Top 5 agricultural powers by gross production value: China — $1.9 trillion (35.6% of the global total); India — $573 billion (10.9%); United States — $451 billion (8.6%); Brazil — $204 billion (3.9%); Indonesia — $145 billion (2.8%). Turkey, Russia, Japan, France, and Mexico also made it into the top ten. Russia ranks seventh with $87 billion, representing 1.7% of global production. Ahead of it is Turkey with $92 billion, followed by Japan ($86 billion) and France ($82 billion). Many European economies, including Germany, Italy, and Spain, are in the middle of the list with shares of around 1–1.2%. For the Chinese food market, leadership in the agricultural sector provides a stable raw material base and export potential. Chinese companies can increase supplies of raw materials and finished products, relying on the sheer scale of domestic production. China's significant share makes global markets highly sensitive to its internal changes, such as yield fluctuations or shifts in export policies.

In the first half of 2026, Uzbekistan imported 421,918 tons of potatoes worth $34 million, according to the National Statistics Committee. Compared to the same period in 2025, the volume of deliveries decreased by 46.9 thousand tons. Total potato imports in physical terms fell by approximately 10%. The largest suppliers of potatoes to Uzbekistan: Kazakhstan — 337.9 thousand tons; Pakistan — 33.8 thousand tons; Kyrgyzstan — 14.8 thousand tons; Afghanistan — 13.5 thousand tons; Netherlands — 9.7 thousand tons.The remaining countries accounted for 12.2 thousand tons. Kazakhstan's share was about 80% of all imported potatoes. For the Chinese food market, these data indicate that China is not among the main suppliers of potatoes to Uzbekistan. However, the market remains significant, and Chinese producers have the opportunity to explore supply potential, especially given their logistical proximity. The decline in overall imports points to gradual growth in domestic production in Uzbekistan, as well as the market's dependence on the trade policies of neighboring countries (e.g., export restrictions by Kazakhstan). This creates both certain risks and "windows of opportunity" for Chinese exporters during periods of shortage.

Additional lanes for freight transport have been launched at the "Torugart" checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border, according to the Customs Service of Kyrgyzstan. The head of the agency, Almaz Saliev, instructed to "maximize the capacity of the checkpoint." In addition to widening the road, a special waiting area was launched at Torugart as part of the electronic queuing system introduced in March 2026. The Torugart checkpoint is located on a high-altitude pass in the Tien Shan mountains, at the junction of Kyrgyzstan's Naryn region and China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Previously, the daily flow of vehicles reached over 300 cars a day. Following the opening of the six-lane road, the checkpoint is now capable of processing up to 1,000 vehicles per day. By the end of 2024, 144.5 thousand vehicles passed through the border crossing, and passenger traffic exceeded 150 thousand people. There are two checkpoints for trucks on the border between Kyrgyzstan and China: Torugart in the Naryn region and Irkeshtam in the Osh region. Measures to increase capacity: Launching additional lanes for freight transport; Widening the road to six lanes; Introducing a waiting area and an electronic queue. For the Chinese food market, the increased capacity of Torugart will accelerate the delivery of food products and agricultural raw materials from China to Kyrgyzstan and further into Central Asia. This reduces the risk of delays for perishable goods and opens up opportunities to scale up the export of Chinese products to the region. It is important for Chinese producers and carriers to take into account the new electronic queuing rules and coordinate their routes in advance to avoid downtime.

Lenta is currently in negotiations to acquire Maria-Ra, the largest retail chain in Siberia, as reported by Izvestia. Analysts estimate the potential deal at approximately 40 billion rubles. The Maria-Ra network comprises over 1.3 thousand stores across five regions. The company's revenue for the year 2025 amounted to 127.5 billion rubles. The acquisition would allow Lenta to enter the top three of Russian food retail as early as next year, bringing it closer to X5 Group and Magnit. Furthermore, the company will be able to rapidly expand its footprint in Siberia, a region where it currently trails its main competitors. For the Chinese food market, the consolidation of major Russian retail networks may lead to an increase in centralized procurement and more stringent requirements for suppliers. Chinese food manufacturers interested in working with federal retailers will gain an additional sales channel, but will simultaneously face the need to comply with strict quality and logistics standards. The deal may also accelerate the adoption of electronic procurement procedures, which will require digital adaptation from Chinese companies.

According to updated data from the International Tea Committee, global tea production rose to 7.26 million tons in 2025. China maintains its absolute leadership, now accounting for nearly 53% of the global volume. The country that gave the world this beverage continues to strengthen its position every year by expanding plantation areas and improving yields. Top tea producers in 2025: China — 3.8 million tons; India — approx. 1.3 million tons; Kenya — 600 thousand tons; Turkey — 275 thousand tons; Sri Lanka — 260 thousand tons; Vietnam — 185 thousand tons; Indonesia — 125 thousand tons; Japan — 74 thousand tons. Besides the "big three" tea producers—China, India, and Kenya—Turkey and Vietnam also make significant contributions to global production. However, Turkey consumes almost its entire output domestically, whereas the other leading countries actively export their products. For the Chinese food market, this overwhelming dominance opens up excellent prospects in the CIS markets, primarily in Russia. These regions maintain a historically high culture of tea consumption while having practically no domestic raw material production. Chinese producers have the opportunity not only to supply traditional bulk tea but also to displace competitors (such as India and Sri Lanka) by offering high-value-added products. The CIS markets currently show a strong demand for premium green and oolong teas, flavored blends, ready-to-drink (RTD) teas, and ingredients for the popular bubble tea format. This makes the CIS region one of the most priority and high-margin destinations for Chinese tea exports.

The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan has altered the procedure for issuing electronic permits (E-permit) for international road freight transport to China. National carriers are now advised to apply for permits only when they have a specific planned transport and an actual need for the document. Obtaining permits unnecessarily, including keeping them "in reserve," leads to the unjustified depletion of the established quota and can limit the opportunities for other carriers. When submitting an application, carriers are obligated to accurately specify the border crossing points through which they plan to enter and exit Chinese territory. Once the permit is obtained, carriers must comply with freight transportation rules, follow the declared route, and adhere to the requirements for staying in the PRC. Violations committed by carriers in either Uzbekistan or China are logged by inspection services. If a violation is detected, the system will automatically restrict the carrier's ability to obtain subsequent electronic permits. The Ministry warned of potential technical glitches during the rollout phase of the updated system. In the event of malfunctions, carriers must immediately report the issue, specifying the company name, the vehicle's state registration number, or the application number. For the Chinese food market, the change in the E-permit issuance procedure necessitates more precise supply chain planning. Chinese food importers and exporters working with Uzbekistan must coordinate routes and border crossing points in advance to avoid permit denials and cargo delays. The strict recording of violations increases carrier accountability and may force unscrupulous companies out of the market, which in the long run will improve the stability of food logistics chains.

In the second quarter of 2026, the average monthly income of a household in Mongolia amounted to 3.5 million MNT, which is equivalent to approximately 6,500 RMB. These data are provided by the National Statistics Office. In total, there are about 1.08 million households in the country, defined as families or groups of people living together and sharing a common budget. The income structure is as follows: Wages — 58.6% (1.9 million MNT, or about 3,500 RMB); Pensions and allowances — 21.8% (720 thousand MNT, or about 1,330 RMB); Income from production and services — 16.1% (529 thousand MNT, or about 980 RMB); Gifts, assistance, and remittances — 2.0% (65 thousand MNT, or about 120 RMB); Capital income — 1.5% (51 thousand MNT, or about 95 RMB). Over the year, the number of households with an income of less than 1.1 million MNT (approx. 2,000 RMB) decreased by 8 thousand to 97.3 thousand, while the number of families with an income of more than 5 million MNT (over 9,300 RMB) grew by 65 thousand, reaching 224.9 thousand. The average monthly expenses of one household for the same period amounted to 3.3 million MNT, or about 6,100 RMB. Non-food goods and services accounted for 72.5% of all expenses (2.2 million MNT, or about 4,100 RMB). Mongolian families allocated 23.2% of their expenses to food—this is 714 thousand MNT, or approximately 1,320 RMB per month. The remaining 4.3% (132 thousand MNT, or about 245 RMB) went to remittances. Thus, the food basket occupies the second-largest expense category for Mongolian households after non-food goods and services. The growing number of affluent families may contribute to an increased demand for more expensive and diverse food products. For the Chinese food market, these data indicate a potential expansion of the Mongolian market's capacity. China, as the nearest major food producer, has a logistical advantage in supplying Mongolia. An increase in the income of a segment of households may lead to higher consumption of imported products, including fresh vegetables, fruits, frozen convenience foods, and snacks. At the same time, the share of food expenses remains relatively low, making it important for Chinese exporters to target the mid-price segment and consider competition with local producers. Additional opportunities arise in the segment of ready-to-eat meals and products with a long shelf life, which are in demand given the rapid pace of urbanization.

The Russian Government has expanded the list of sweets subject to mandatory labeling to include spherical lollipops weighing up to 30 grams. The current phase of implementing the system for producers and importers of this category began on July 1, 2026. Initially, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed entirely excluding such lollipops from the list. The reason was purely technical: the traditional wrapper on Chupa Chups-style candies twists and crinkles, making it physically impossible to scan a labeling code on it. The introduction of the new requirements sparked concerns in the industry. Speculation arose that the authorities left the market with no choice, forcing participants to abandon the familiar wrapper and pack each lollipop in an individual plastic bag (flow-pack) capable of bearing a scannable code. However, the operator of the labeling system (CRPT) issued an official clarification: the primary wrapper of spherical caramel itself will not need to be labeled. Through its decree, the government exempted this specific category from primary packaging requirements. Codes must be applied only if the candies have a secondary consumer packaging—for example, multipacks or cardboard display boxes used at checkout counters. For the Chinese food market, this clarification eliminates the main risks. Chinese suppliers will not have to purchase new equipment to pack each lollipop in an individual plastic bag for export to Russia. The traditional twisted wrapper remains fully compliant. The main task for exporters now is to adapt their packaging lines so that the "Chestny Znak" system codes are correctly printed on the secondary cardboard or plastic packaging (display boxes).

In the second quarter of 2026, the online grocery market in Russia contracted by 2.5% compared to the previous quarter, totaling 470 billion rubles. These data were provided by the analytical agency Infoline. Leaders by revenue in monetary terms: X5 Digital — 101.3 billion rubles; Samokat — 80.5 billion rubles; Magnit — 67.3 billion rubles. At the same time, only two players out of the top ten largest retailers showed positive quarterly dynamics: Samokat grew by 3.9%, and Magnit by 3.1%. X5 Digital's sales for the same period decreased by 1.7%. For the Chinese food market, the contraction of the Russian e-grocery sector in the second quarter may signal a slowdown in the growth of one of the sales channels for imported products. Chinese manufacturers and exporters targeting Russian online retail may face more cautious procurement planning from marketplaces and delivery services. At the same time, the strengthening positions of individual players, such as Samokat and Magnit, create opportunities for targeted supply expansion into those networks demonstrating growth. It is advantageous for Chinese companies to diversify their sales channels, combining online and offline retail, to reduce their dependence on e-grocery market fluctuations.

According to Forbes, wholesale potato prices in Russia are currently almost 40% higher than a year ago. Typically, the price of this product drops during the summer period; however, this season the dynamic has changed. Several factors have driven this growth. Due to low profitability following last year's record harvest, Russian farmers reduced the acreage planted with potatoes. Additionally, unfavorable weather conditions prevented them from reaching previous yield levels. In the retail segment, potatoes have become 22% more expensive. Industry experts do not rule out further price increases towards winter. Furthermore, Russian importers will likely have to start their purchases earlier than usual. For the Chinese food market, the rise in potato prices in the Russian Federation could open up additional opportunities for exporters. An increased demand for imported produce may boost interest in the supply of potatoes and their processed products. At the same time, Chinese producers must consider quality standards, phytosanitary safety requirements, and logistical costs, which could ultimately affect their final competitiveness.