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.
The BRICS countries are continuing their plans to establish a grain exchange, to divert agricultural trade away from Western platforms. The BRICS both produce and consume about 44% of the world’s total markets for corn, wheat and rice, with members Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Russia amongst the world’s largest producers and consumers.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has met with Malagasy Foreign Minister Alice N’Diaye in Moscow to discuss trade development. We detail the current bilateral relations and plans to increase bilateral trade – currently running at about US$500 million per annum.
Russia’s agricultural exports to ASEAN are up 5% in the first five months of 2026, with Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia showing the largest increases.
The Russia-Laos Intergovernmental Commission has been meeting in Moscow, with important agreements on expanding trade, and nuclear power deals being signed. Bilateral trade, while small, nearly doubled last year.
Russia’s EkoNiva Group have been approved to export cheese products to China, and are investing heavily in expanding their production to Asian markets.
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The annual meeting of BRICS Agricultural Ministers has been taking place in India with several important initiatives being planned. Russia’s agricultural trade with BRICS countries rose 5% last year.
Tajikistan has the potential to increase its agricultural exports to Russia by another 10% in value, as the two countries Economic Development Ministers. Tajikistan is a source Central Asia’s best quality fruits.
Russia’s exports of sunflower oil, a key ingredient in Indian cuisine, has risen by 43% in 4M 2026 and means that Russia now provides 50% of India’s domestic needs. This is an excellent example of mutual BRICS trade.
Russian exports of wheat to Kenya have grown 10% in the first five months of the year, with volumes to Egypt, Sudan and Cameroon also all showing strong increases.
Bahrain is not a major energy play in the Middle East but is becoming important in grain transhipment. We look at the latest bilateral discussions between President Putin and the King of Bahrain.
Russia’s grain exports to Egypt have increased by 15% this year to date, while the two countries are also discussing the creation of a grain exchange and developing a food security export hub for countries in Africa and the Middle East.
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