Russia sharply increased its agricultural exports to Africa during the first half of 2026, highlighting the continent’s growing role as a major market for Russian food products.
New data from Russia’s state-backed Agroexport centre shows the country exported more than 11 million metric tons of agricultural goods to African nations between January and June, worth around $2.9 billion.
Export volumes climbed 40% compared with the same period last year, while the total value of shipments rose 35%.
The increase was largely driven by wheat, which made up more than 90% of all agricultural exports to Africa. Russia shipped about 10.2 million metric tons of wheat during the six-month period. Other products exported included barley, soybean oil, sunflower seed meal, beet pulp and molasses.
Russia is one of the world’s largest wheat exporters and remains a key supplier for countries that rely heavily on imported grain.
Many African nations, particularly in North Africa, depend on wheat imports to meet domestic demand, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Egypt remained Russia’s biggest agricultural customer on the continent, importing 4.9 million metric tons, up from 3.8 million metric tons a year earlier. The country accounted for nearly 44% of Russia’s agricultural exports to Africa by volume.
Sudan ranked as the second-largest importer, with purchases rising 62% year-on-year. Kenya recorded one of the strongest increases, with Russian agricultural shipments expanding almost tenfold. Algeria and Libya also ranked among the leading destinations.
The latest figures underline Russia’s growing economic ties with Africa, where governments are increasingly focused on strengthening food security as climate change, population growth and supply chain disruptions continue to pressure food supplies.
Russia exported agricultural products to more than 40 African countries during the first six months of 2026.
The expanding trade also comes as Moscow seeks to deepen its commercial and diplomatic relationships across Africa while reshaping its global trade partnerships.