Rusagro’s Pig Farm Closures
Russia’s top vertically integrated agricultural holding, Rusagro, has decided to close three pig farms in the Belgorod region. The facilities are being shut down due to ongoing shelling in this border area, which poses severe risks to both workers and operations. The Moscow Times reported the news on April 24, 2026, citing Reuters.
According to Rusagro’s quarterly report, pork production dropped by 6,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026. The company ranks second in Russia for meat output and is among the top five sugar producers. It also manages 700,000 hectares of farmland. Its founder, billionaire Vadim Moshkovich, has been under arrest since last year on bribery charges.
Rusagro has repeatedly reported employee deaths from aerial attacks and damage to its production sites. In late 2024, it acquired Agro-Belogorye, a pork producer operating in Belgorod’s border districts.
Impact on Food Security
These closures could significantly affect regional food security, as Rusagro is one of Russia’s largest pork producers. Ongoing armed conflicts in border areas are creating serious challenges for agribusiness, potentially reducing output and driving up prices. This situation also highlights how external factors are disrupting domestic production and the broader national economy.