On 25 June 2026, an online seminar titled “Russia and Central Asia: Exporting Food Products to Overseas Markets” was held, bringing together key stakeholders in cross-border food trade. The event was jointly organized by the B2B platform 云食界 (EFOODLINE) and the specialized platform RetailChina.pro, which focuses on supporting the systematic expansion of Chinese food brands into Russia and CIS countries.

More than 30 Chinese manufacturers and exporters of food products and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) participated in the seminar. The program combined analytical presentations with an interactive online Q&A session, offering attendees both market insights and practical guidance.

Experts from RetailChina.pro presented an updated overview of the Russian food retail market, including demand trends for imported food products and FMCG in Russia and Central Asian countries. Particular emphasis was placed on operational issues that exporting companies face when entering new markets: product quality and safety requirements, certification procedures and compliance with Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) regulations, as well as logistics solutions and supply chain specifics.

The growing interest of Chinese businesses in the region is supported by solid economic indicators. According to data from RetailChina.pro, Russian food retail sales have increased by almost one quarter over the past year, with total industry revenue exceeding 16 trillion rubles. In parallel, bilateral agricultural trade between China and Russia has expanded markedly.

Statistics from the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce show that in the first quarter of 2026, agricultural trade between China and Russia reached 35.2 billion US dollars, up 36.9% year-on-year. Over the same period, China’s food exports to Russia rose by 21.1%. In the first five months of 2026, Russia tripled its imports of Chinese rice and rice products, underscoring the strengthening role of Chinese suppliers in the Russian food market.

The seminar was held in a business-oriented, practical atmosphere and enabled participants to obtain not only theoretical information, but also concrete recommendations for entering promising markets in Russia and Central Asia. The organizers reported strong interest from Chinese manufacturers and expressed their intention to continue holding similar events aimed at further developing bilateral trade in food products and FMCG.

About the organizers

云食界 (EFOODLINE) is a leading B2B platform for promoting international food trade, established under the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce. The platform cooperates with major international exhibitions, including the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Canton Fair, and works with global retail chains and online platforms such as Walmart, Carrefour, Wumart, Vanguard, CP Group, JD and Meituan.

RetailChina.pro is a closed B2B platform designed to facilitate the systematic entry of Chinese manufacturers into the markets of Russia and CIS countries. The platform provides suppliers with a professional B2B showcase and access to a verified database of importers and distributors across key product categories. By aggregating up-to-date analytics and market data, RetailChina.pro helps Chinese brands increase their visibility and establish direct contacts with purchasing departments of major retail chains in the region.