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The deep grain processing market in Russia: 2025 results

05 March 2026

The Association of Deep Grain Processing Enterprises (Soyuzkrakhmal) has prepared a report on the production of the main types of deep grain processing products in Russia. In 2025, Russia will continue to experience mixed trends: while corn starch production increased (+5.5%) and lysine sulfate (+11.9%), corn gluten and maltodextrin output declined.

Native Starches

In 2025, Russia produced 417,411 tons of native starches (corn, wheat, and potato). This is 2.6% more than the previous year, when this figure stood at 406,845 tons in 2024.

Overall production increased due to increased corn starch volumes, reaching 367,710 tons, 5.5% higher than the 2024 figure (348,550 tons). The steady increase in corn starch production reflects a steady trend of growing demand from domestic consuming industries.

Wheat starch traditionally held second place in production volume. However, in 2025, its output declined to 37,305 tons, a 19.9% decrease from 2024, when 46,600 tons were produced. "This trend has been ongoing since 2023. Wheat and corn starch are very similar in structure for use in processing industries. However, wheat starch is more expensive. And although its functional properties are better for use in certain areas of the pulp and paper industry, some customers have switched to corn starch due to its lower cost and wider choice of suppliers," commented Oleg Radin, President of the Association of Deep Grain Processing Enterprises.

Potato starch production also declined: 10,386 tons in 2025, compared to 11,510 tons in 2024. A shortage of raw materials — potatoes of the required quality at affordable prices — remains the main factor restraining growth in this segment. However, the number of small potato starch producers is significantly higher than official statistics reflect.

Modified Starches and Dextrins

Modified starch production in 2025 amounted to 111,850 tons, a 9.3% decrease from 123,278 tons in 2024. This decline is primarily due to a decline in the production of industrial modifications for well drilling, due to the continued moderate decline in oil production. "Although there was a decline in production compared to the previous year, this category is showing growth overall: the volume remains higher than in 2023 and almost twice as high as in 2020," said Oleg Radin.

Of the total volume of modified starches, we estimate the production of food modifications at 12,122 tons (companies produced 12,013 tons in 2024). We expect new production to begin in 2026.

Dextrin production remained stable, showing a slight increase to 3,017 tons in 2025, compared to 2,884 tons the previous year.

Sugary Starch Products / Sweeteners

Sweetened starch products are used in a wide range of industries, including baby food, ice cream, food concentrates, soft drinks, bakery, dairy, confectionery, and pharmaceuticals.

Glucose syrup (starch syrup) production in 2025 amounted to 493,396 tons, a 1.9% decrease compared to 2024 (503,050 tons). High-fructose syrup (HFS) production decreased to 273,769 tons, down 3.6% from 283,947 tons in 2024. This decline is still due to regulatory factors: "The introduction of excise taxes continues to impact consumption patterns. Beverage producers are reducing their share of full-sugar products, which is impacting HFS purchases." "This is a signal to manufacturers about the need to diversify their product lines toward ingredients that are not subject to stricter regulations," explained Oleg Radin.

The maltodextrin category recorded a decline in volumes: 55,169 tons were produced in 2025, an 8.1% decrease compared to 60,015 tons in 2024. The volume adjustment is due to lower export volumes.

Plant Proteins

Wheat gluten production in 2025 remained at the same level as the previous year, showing a slight decrease to 81,034 tons (84,768 tons in 2024).

Corn gluten production, on the other hand, showed a 15.8% decline — 55,042 tons in the reporting year compared to 65,401 tons the previous year. This may be due to the negative impact of drought in the Central Black Earth Region and southern regions of Russia, which resulted in a decrease in the protein content of corn grain.

Lysine sulfate production increased by 11.9%. These are record figures for domestic producers. Russian enterprises produced 136,290 and 152,517 tons in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The increase in production is driven by a combined increase in demand for compound feed for poultry, cattle, and pigs, as well as record-breaking compound feed production for the rapidly growing aquaculture industry for several years in a row.

Industry Projects

The Association is currently celebrating the implementation of several large-scale production facilities in the deep processing of plant materials. In the Rostov Region, this includes Amirost LLC (a deep corn processing plant), and in the Tyumen Region, Proteinsib JSC (pea processing and isolate production).

Biotechnology projects have been announced. In the Tula region, there's Organic Acids LLC (producing citric and lactic acids from corn). In the Voronezh region, there's Citron LLC (producing citric acid from corn). In the Rostov region, there's Donbiotekh JSC (producing lysine from wheat).

Current Leaders: Capacity Growth and New Lines

In addition to new investors, the industry is also actively growing thanks to existing enterprises, which are not only expanding their capacity but also contributing to the development of the regions where they operate. For example, Amilco continues to scale up, increasing grain processing to 500,000 tons per year and launching new import-substituting lines.

Significant changes are also taking place in the Krasnodar Krai. Rustark is implementing a large-scale project, RUSTARK-1200, doubling grain processing capacity from 600 to 1,200 tons per day. A key stage of the project has already been completed: the equipment has been installed, and commissioning is underway. Particularly noteworthy is the launch of new modified starch production under the VYSCODEX brand, with a total capacity of over 60,000 tons per year. This line will replace a wide range of imported food and industrial modifications on the Russian market.

"We will discuss the results and industry forecasts on April 14-15 at the annual ProKrakhmal 2026 conference. Over the next five years, we expect positive changes for our industry as an integral part of the overall bioeconomy, which has received special attention from both businesses and government officials in recent years," concluded Oleg Radin, President of the Association.

The Association of Deep Grain Processing Enterprises (Soyuzkrakhmal) is an information partner of the Global Ingredients Show and a professional non-profit organization promoting the strengthening and development of the domestic deep grain processing market. Founded in 1998, the Association currently unites the largest companies in the industry, accounting for over 75% of domestic production of native starches and glucose-fructose syrups, 90% of modified starches, and 100% of maltodextrin, starch syrups, and L-lysine sulfate.

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05 March 2026