Russia increased the import of palm oil and its fractions by 12 percent in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period of the past (up to 529 thousand tons). This is evidenced by Rosstat data.
In June, the purchases also increased significantly. They increased by 75.2 percent to last year’s indicator and 69.6 percent to the previous month, up to 106 thousand tons. Importing sunflower, safflower or cotton oil in the first half of the year jumped by 16.8 percent. Deliveries to the Russian market of coconut, palmoman oil increased by 16.8 percent.
From January to April 2021, 360 thousand tons of palm oil and its fractions were imported to Russia, which is 20.5 percent more compared to the same period last year.
In June, the deputy head of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev said that the country should not import products from abroad, given its agricultural opportunities. He also noted that sanctions against Russia forced the country to develop their agro-industrial complex.
Meanwhile, the Russians began to move on cheese substitutes due to falling income. Cheese products – an inexpensive alternative to cheese (worth a third cheaper), with their production it is possible to use vegetable fats, such as palm oil.