In a major push toward poultry sector self-sufficiency, the Russian Agricultural Ministry has released a draft decree proposing the extension of state support for domestic hatching egg production for another five years, through 2030. The move targets one critical goal: reducing the country’s heavy reliance on imported hatching eggs, especially in the fast-growing turkey segment.
Investment Boost & Production Growth
According to the ministry, support measures implemented since 2022 have already shown strong results. Over the last three years, state-backed soft loans and capital cost reimbursements helped launch 11 new hatchery projects, expanding total capacity by 980,000 poultry placements.
This translated into a remarkable 1.3-billion-unit increase in hatching egg output, strengthening the country’s breeding infrastructure.
“The support measures have led to the establishment of a breeding stock for industrial poultry production in Russia, ensuring the smooth operation of poultry farms and a steady growth in poultry production,” the ministry noted.
Broiler Imports Decline
The broiler sector has benefitted the most so far.
Russia’s dependence on imported hatching eggs in broilers has now fallen to 11%, a 7% improvement compared to 2021. This shift provides greater production stability for domestic broiler farmers and processors.
Turkey Sector Still Fully Dependent on Imports
While broilers show progress, the turkey industry continues to rely 100% on imported hatching eggs. This dependency is becoming riskier due to what Russian veterinary regulators describe as an “unstable epizootic situation” in major exporting countries such as Canada, Germany, and France. Outbreaks periodically disrupt supply, posing a threat to domestic production continuity.
Turkey Production Quadruples
Despite supply vulnerabilities, Russia’s turkey sector has expanded rapidly.
Production has quadrupled over the last decade, reaching 435,000 tonnes in 2024. Russia is now the second-largest turkey exporter globally.
During the first half of 2025, the country exported 17,500 tonnes of turkey meat worth US$50 million, marking a 30% increase in value year-on-year. China, UAE, Benin, and Saudi Arabia were the top buyers.
What Extended Support Means
With the proposed extension of state incentives through 2030, the ministry expects:
- Additional 2.5 billion hatching eggs produced domestically over the next five years.
- Lowered veterinary and trade risks associated with reliance on foreign breeding stock.
- More stable long-term growth across broiler and turkey sectors.
As Russia continues strengthening its hatchery infrastructure, the poultry industry is expected to benefit from improved supply security, enhanced breeding autonomy, and stronger export competitiveness.