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.
Russian exports of fish – especially dried fish – are up 1,400% in 9M 2026, as the snack is used as an accompaniment to drinking beer and is proving popular with Brazilian football supporters watching local and international games in bars. Russian exporters are competing with Norway for this market.
The first Iran-Russia Trade Development summit has taken place in Bandar Anzali, and places a sharply defined economic proposition at the centre of Tehran’s northern trade strategy. The Caspian Sea acts as a gateway to Russia’s US$300 billion annual import market into substantially larger non-oil exports, transit flows and cross-border investment. We deep dive the bilateral Russia-Iran trade and investment developments.
Sberbank has completed preparations for direct financial settlements with Myanmar, which will support major state contracts and commodity flows. Financial settlements for commodity exports and imports of agricultural products, fertilizers and mechanical engineering will also use the system. The development negates the use of SWIFT and the US dollar as payment tools, while a key element of the scheme is Sberbank’s Indian branch, which provides access to payments in Indian rupees and connects Myanmar companies with Russia, India and the Commonwealth of Independent States markets.
Kuibyshev Railways and the Deng Xiaoping Terminal in Russia’s Tatarstan region has sent its first container train of wheat by rail to Vietnam. The train, consisting of 76 containers with 2,000 tonnes of wheat, departed from the hub’s One Belt One Road terminal, and will finish its journey in Vladivostok. From there, the containers will be sent to Vietnam by sea.
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.
Subscribe to receive exclusive insights and analysis on Agriculture.
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.
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.
Русский
