Meat Sales Decline in Russia: Lamb Loses Popularity, Chicken on the Rise

Rosstat data confirms this trend: small ruminant meat production fell by 6.3%, reaching 26,700 tons. The sheep and goat population declined by 7.4%, reaching 2.6 million head, which, in turn, indicates a long-term decline in sheep farming, according to the director of Reksoft Consulting. According to him, since 2020, the small ruminant population has declined by almost 12%.

According to Sergei Yushin, head of the National Meat Association, small farms are facing challenges due to the lack of established distribution channels and rising costs. Given that lamb consumption in Russia is extremely low—just 1.5 kg per person per year, compared to 83 kg of meat overall—this trend raises serious concerns. Small producers' problems are exacerbated by competition from horticulture and viticulture, where investment is easier to attract.