Russia is among the top 10 food exporters to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, which became a guest country of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026), is one of Russia's key partners in the field of food trade in the Middle East. This was reported to Izvestia on June 3 at the Rosselkhoznadzor's Center for Industry Expertise (COE RSHB).

The experts analyzed the dynamics and structure of Russian agricultural exports to the kingdom, as well as predicted the prospects for the development of bilateral trade.

According to analysts, Russia has every chance of retaining its place in the top ten suppliers of agricultural products to Saudi Arabia in 2026, despite the continued volatility of world markets, changes in the foreign trade regulation of the GCC countries and objective logistical constraints related to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Saudi Arabia remains one of the most promising markets in the Middle East for Russian agricultural exports. The demand for food in the country is steadily growing due to an increase in population, increased incomes, the development of tourism and pilgrimage. At the same time, the kingdom's own opportunities for agricultural development are limited by natural and climatic conditions, which ensures a steady need for food imports," the RSHB Central Economic Commission noted.

According to analysts, in 2025, Russia shipped 2.3 million tons of agricultural products to Saudi Arabia and entered the top 10 suppliers of food to the Saudi market. Grain crops, primarily wheat and barley, formed the basis of Russian exports. At the end of the year, wheat accounted for 1.5 million tons, or 64% of the total volume of domestic agricultural supplies to the kingdom in physical terms, while barley accounted for 656 thousand tons, or 28% of agricultural exports.

At the same time, the most noticeable growth compared to 2024 (was observed in the supply of fat and oil products, legumes and meat. In particular, exports of soybean oil (+9 thousand tons), dried chickpeas (+5.2 thousand tons), frozen chicken (+3.7 thousand tons), finished poultry (+2 thousand tons), beef (+1.3 thousand tons), and turkey meat (+407 t).

RSHB's CEOs separately identified product categories with significant potential for increasing supplies in the medium term. First of all, we are talking about products with high added value — bottled mineral water, confectionery, active yeast, wheat gluten.

"Some Saudi consumers are already familiar with Russian products, and we see good prospects for further expanding the presence of domestic manufacturers in the kingdom's market," the RSHB Central Research Institute emphasized.

According to analysts, Saudi Arabia's obtaining the status of a guest of honor at SPIEF 2026 will be an additional incentive for the development of bilateral economic ties between Russia and the kingdom, including in the field of agricultural products trade.

Grain supply: Russia has become a key supplier of agricultural products to Saudi Arabia

Moscow and Riyadh have doubled the volume of mutual trade for the centenary of diplomatic relations

The agreement on the abolition of visa requirements between Russia and Saudi Arabia entered into force on May 11, which is why Russian citizens will be able to make tourist trips to the kingdom without a visa. It was clarified that the visa-free regime is valid on condition that Russians do not work, study or reside in the kingdom.

Nikita Kondratiev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects at the Ministry of Economic Development, in turn, noted that the visa-free regime between the states would significantly increase the mutual flow of travelers. He noted that Russia is interested in the influx of visitors from Saudi Arabia, which is showing steady growth. If 108 thousand tourists from the kingdom visited the country in 2024, then by the end of 2025 the figure increased by 33%, exceeding 140 thousand trips.