Togo receives first wheat shipment as Russia expands grain exports to Africa

TOGO – Russia has initiated its first wheat export to Togo, dispatching a 27,000-ton shipment from the Leningrad region, food safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has announced.

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) thoroughly inspected and certified this consignment to ensure compliance with Togolese standards.

This development is part of Russia’s broader strategy to enhance its grain exports to Africa. In the 2023/24 marketing year, Russia achieved a record wheat export volume of 41.8 million tons, marking a 7% increase from the previous year.

The expansion into Togo signifies Russia’s efforts to diversify its export markets and strengthen trade relations across the African continent.

The growing demand for Russian grain in Africa is attributed to its high quality and competitive pricing.

Eduard Zernin, chairman of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters, noted significant increases in exports to countries like Morocco and Nigeria in the 2024-25 season. Kenya, already a major importer of Russian grain, is also expanding its import volumes.

“In the current 2024-25 season, [Russian] exports to Morocco and Nigeria have already increased significantly. Kenya, which is already one of the main importers of Russian grain, is also expanding its volumes,” Zernin reported.

Statistical data from the Russian Center of Grain Quality Assurance indicates that wheat exports from Russia’s Krasnodar Region to 25 African nations grew by 14.4% between January and September 2024, totaling 14.8 million tons.

The top five importers were Egypt (6.8 million tons), Algeria (1.3 million tons), Kenya (1.2 million tons), Libya (1.0 million tons), and Sudan (0.6 million tons). Exports to Gambia, Djibouti, and Ethiopia also resumed, highlighting sustained demand across the continent.

In line with these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a 50% increase in agricultural exports by 2030 compared to 2021 levels, which totaled US$37 billion.

To support this goal, Russia is expanding its Baltic Sea ports to enhance agricultural exports and diversify away from traditional Black Sea routes, which have become riskier due to the conflict with Ukraine.

The recent launch of the Vysotsky and Lugaport ports in the Gulf of Finland is set to significantly increase export capacity, with these ports expected to handle up to 15 million tons annually.

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