The present invention provides a process for producing a cyanopyridine represented by general formula (3) ##STR1## (wherein R is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom with a proviso that at least either of X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 is a halogen atom; n is an integer of 1 or 2), which process comprises reacting an ammonium halide with a trichloromethylpyridine represented by general formula (1) ##STR2## (wherein R, X.sup.1, X.sup.2 and n have the same definitions as given above) in the presence of a metal compound represented by general formula (2) MXm (2) (wherein M is a copper atom or a zinc atom; X is a halogen atom or an oxygen atom; m is an integer of 2 or 1).