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Russia's federal Agroexport centre, citing expert estimates, reported that the country exported soybean oil to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries worth nearly $290 million in 2025, an increase of 11% compared with 2024.
The region accounted for 43% of Russia's total overseas soybean oil export revenue.
The list of the top five buyers included Algeria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Ilya Ilyushin, head of the Agroexport centre, told reporters on the sidelines of the Gulfood 2026 exhibition, which opened in Dubai on Monday: "MENA countries represent large and growing markets with strong demand for vegetable oil imports, including soybean oil. Given the rise in soybean production and processing in Russia in recent years, we are actively working to increase soybean oil exports, and we view the broader MENA region as one of the most promising directions."
Gulfood is the world's largest specialised exhibition for food, beverages, and hotel, restaurant and catering equipment, held annually.
Source: Interfax