Russia Wheat Exports Hit Record High Despite EU Sanctions

Breaking free from the restraints of the West, Russian wheat exports have reached a record high at the start of the 2024-2025 agricultural season, defying Europe’s efforts to curb Moscow’s access to global grain markets. Despite the European Union’s imposition of higher tariffs on Russian grain last year, Russia has managed to redirect its exports to new markets, including Egypt, Bangladesh, Algeria, and Kenya. This strategy has not only bolstered its position as the world’s largest wheat supplier but has also deepened geopolitical tensions over global food security.

• Record exports: Russian wheat shipments surpassed 32.2 million tons between July and January 2024, marking a new high.
• Market shifts: Egypt remains the top buyer, while Bangladesh has emerged as a key destination, overtaking Türkiye.
• Geopolitical tensions: The EU’s tariffs have sparked accusations from Russia of deliberate market manipulation, with concerns over rising food prices globally.
• Humanitarian efforts: Russia has donated significant amounts of wheat to low-income African nations as part of its food assistance program.

Agricultural resilience against sanctions

The Russian wheat export surge comes despite the EU’s efforts to restrict Moscow’s grain sales. In 2023, the EU introduced higher tariffs on Russian grain, citing concerns over cheap Russian wheat destabilizing European markets. However, Russia has argued that the tariffs are not a “side effect” of sanctions but a deliberate attempt to undermine its economy.

Speaking to the tariffs, a Kremlin official stated, “The EU’s actions are a clear attempt to weaken Russia’s agricultural sector, but they are also putting European consumers at risk.” Russia has warned that the EU’s restrictions could exacerbate global food insecurity, particularly in regions heavily reliant on wheat imports.

The latest data from railway operator Rusagrotrans shows that Russian wheat shipments between July and January 2024 reached a record 32.2 million tons, up from 31.8 million tons during the same period in the previous season. As expected, however, January exports dropped significantly to 2.47 million tons, down from 4.08 million tons in January 2024. […]

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