Russia Sets New Global Benchmark in Grain Exports with 10 Million Tonnes of Wheat to Egypt

Strategic Insights -

Russian Ambassador to Cairo, Georgy Borisenko, has announced that Russia has delivered over 10 million tonnes of wheat to Egypt in 2024, marking an unprecedented volume that underscores Moscow's expanding influence in global food supply chains and its deepening trade ties with North Africa. This milestone trade relationship between Russia and Egypt highlights a strategic partnership between Cairo and Moscow, one that is likely to deepen as Russia shifts focus toward markets in the Global South and as African nations seek reliable, cost-effective sources of essential imports like wheat.

Key Takeaways:

  • Russia has set a new global benchmark in grain exports by delivering over 10 million tonnes of wheat to Egypt in 2024, an all-time high for both countries.
  • Russia emerged as Egypt's leading grain supplier in 2024, exporting more than 10 million tons of wheat, surpassing all previous exports to any country.
  • The magnitude of this trade relationship is further highlighted in a report by Russian news agency TASS, which cited remarks made by Tatyana Menlikeyeva, head of the regional branch of Russia's Federal Center for the Safety and Quality Assessment of Agricultural Products in Tatarstan, stating that Russia exported a total of 64 million tonnes of grain and grain products to 40 Muslim-majority countries in 2024.
  • Egypt has become the world's largest importer of Russian wheat, marking the highest annual grain shipment ever recorded by Moscow to a single nation.
  • Russia's trade relations with Africa have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, particularly in 2024, as Moscow strategically deepens its economic engagement with the continent.
  • Russian agricultural exports to Africa reached over US$7 billion in 2024, a 19 percent increase from the previous year, spanning 45 African nations.
  • Wheat, barley, and corn comprised the bulk of these exports, accounting for 87 percent of the agricultural total.
  • Several African countries have sharply increased their Russian wheat imports, with Nigeria's purchases rising 2.7 times, Morocco's more than doubling, and Kenya's growing by 35 percent by March 2025.

Statistics:

  • 10,000,000 tonnes of wheat exported by Russia to Egypt in 2024
  • 64,000,000 tonnes of grain and grain products exported by Russia to 40 Muslim-majority countries in 2024
  • US$7,000,000,000 in agricultural exports by Russia to Africa in 2024, a 19 percent increase from the previous year
  • 45 African nations covered by Russian agricultural exports in 2024
  • 87 percent of Russian agricultural exports to Africa in 2024 accounted for by wheat, barley, and corn
  • 2.7 times increase in Nigeria's Russian wheat imports by March 2025
  • 100 percent increase in Morocco's Russian wheat imports by March 2025
  • 35 percent increase in Kenya's Russian wheat imports by March 2025

Sources:

  • Russian Ambassador to Cairo, Georgy Borisenko
  • Russian news agency TASS
  • Tatyana Menlikeyeva, head of the regional branch of Russia's Federal Center for the Safety and Quality Assessment of Agricultural Products in Tatarstan