Russia’s agricultural exports to Africa in 2024 grew by 19%, surpassing $7 billion in value. This is according to Agroexport, a Russian federal trade center.
This growth highlights Moscow’s expanding food trade links with the continent amid increasing demand for grains and essential foodstuffs.
Russian products were shipped to 45 African nations, with Egypt emerging as the leading importer. Exports to Egypt alone rose by 21%, driven primarily by items such as wheat, sunflower oil, legumes, flax seeds, molasses, and other products.
In addition to Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Kenya, and Tunisia were among the top five recipients of Russian food exports. Notably, grains, especially wheat, barley, and corn, comprised 87% of the total exports, while oils, fats, meat, fish, and an increasing volume of dairy products also featured prominently.
Igor Pavensky, head of agricultural market analysis at Rusagrotrans, pointed out that Africa’s share of Russia’s wheat exports reached a record 38% during the 2023/2024 season, amounting to 21.2 million tonnes. He further noted that, in the current season, African countries now account for more than half of Russian wheat exports.
Industry experts attribute this surge in demand to Africa’s rapid population growth and heightened food consumption, with the continent growing at an annual rate of 2.3%, significantly outpacing the global average.
