Russia-Africa trade reached US$35 billion in 2025 with Russian exports including grain, dairy, and poultry exports, while African agricultural imports (coffee, fruit) to Russia also surged. Key areas include agricultural goods, military contracts, and nuclear energy, with Russia actively reducing trade barriers and diversifying into the processed foods and high-tech sectors. We cover Russia-Africa trade, investment, and market entry opportunities and provide your guide to navigating the commercial landscape and forging strategic partnerships for growth in Africa’s emerging markets.
Russia’s exports of beef to Turkiye have reached 400 tonnes in H1 2026, in the first data since Russia was permitted to export the meat last year. The next step is to allow Russian exporters direct market access. Beef is used in numerous Turkish dishes including kebabs as well as stews. Per capita consumption is about 20kg per annum.
The Russian Agroexport Federal Center has held meetings with the Indian Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) in Moscow to discuss legume supplies. These are a popular consumer item in India and a stable food used to make dhals. However, India cannot produce enough and will have a shortfall of about 14 million tonnes by 2030. Russia is looking to fulfill the demand.
Russia has resumed the export of wheat to Burundi after administrative difficulties. The country is a major exporter of bulgar wheat, used in numerous Burundian dishes including the popular Boko Boko Harees. Over 815 tonnes of wheat worth around US$600,000 was shipped in 8M 2026.
Kyrgyzstan is looking for more cooperation with Russian investors in food processing in order to add value rather than just import and export raw products. The Kyrgyz Deputy Prime Minister, Erlist Akunbekov, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev have also agreed to work out roadmaps for joint fisheries projects.
Saudi Arabia has increased the number of approved Russian milk producers to 26 following increasing demand for quality dairy products. The Saudi dairy market is growing as consumers look for healthy lifestyles and has an expected CAGR annual growth rate of 4% between 2026 and 2034. Russia is the world’s fourth largest producer of dairy products.
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Russia has begun exporting mustard powder to China, with the State watchdog giving approvals. The condiment is used in Chinese hors d’oeuvre as a hot sauce. Chinese demand exceeds domestic supplies with Russia now competing with producers from North America to gain a foothold in the Chinese market.
Russia’s exports of sunflower oil to India are up 34.7% in value in the first seven months of this year. Russia is India’s biggest supplier of sunflower oil, which is used extensively in Indian cuisine.
The WorldFood and Russian Sea Food Expos have been taking place in Moscow and St. Petersburg with significant trade delegations attending from China, India, ASEAN, Brazil, Egypt and the Middle East as well as most of the Global South nations. We discuss in considerable detail how Russia’s agricultural trade is interacting with these international markets in both exports and imports, within an industrial sector whose output is measured in the trillions of dollars.
Russia’s agricultural exports to Kazakhstan are up 24% so far in 2026, with supplies of wheat, sugar, sunflower oil, and bread, flour potato and chocolate confectionery products all up 10% each, while bran, barley, live animals, mayonnaise, sauces and pasta products also all showed significant increases.
Iran is hoping to quadruple its fish exports to Russia. The country has a free trade agreement with Russia and is a major exporter of prawns and rainbow trout. Iran exports fish and seafood to 67 countries worldwide despite sanctions, with Russia the third largest importer after Iraq and China.
The second Russia-Mongolian Regional Forum has just taken place in Ulaanbaatar. With the Mongolia-Eurasian Economic Union trade agreement kicking in and bilateral trade growing at 18% this year, we examine what occurred at the event, the Russian and Mongolian regional pairing, and investments and trade agreements being reached. This article is of primary importance to anyone involved in Mongolian trade.
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