Russia to maintain grain exports to Africa despite sanctions

Despite existing sanctions on Russia, President Vladimir Putin has committed to maintaining grain supplies to African nations.

This announcement was made in anticipation of the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg later this week.

Acknowledging the crucial role of steady food supplies in socio-economic development and political stability, Putin affirmed Russia’s consistent focus on supplying essential crops to African nations.

He emphasized Russia’s export activities and humanitarian aid provisions, often facilitated through the UN World Food Program.

Historically, Russia has been a significant exporter of grain to Africa, with last year’s total reaching 11.5 million tons.

The first half of 2023 alone has allocated nearly 10 million tons for this purpose.

The decision to discontinue the grain agreement, which facilitated grain export from Ukrainian ports across the Black Sea, has been justified by alleged misuse of the agreement for the benefit of large US and European companies.

Putin claims that the majority of grain exported from Ukraine ends up in high-income countries, with less than 3% reaching countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and Afghanistan.

Despite the failure to achieve sanction-lifting on Russian grain and fertilizer exports, Putin remains committed to ensuring grain, food, and fertilizer supplies to Africa.

Russia’s trade with Africa, valued at nearly $18 billion last year, is expected to grow, and further initiatives for professional training assistance to African countries have been proposed.

During the upcoming summit, an action plan for the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum until 2026 is anticipated to be approved, along with the signing of multiple bilateral agreements.