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Buyers in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) region now dominate Russia’s grain exports, with Saudi Arabia the biggest buyer of Russian grain in July, the first month of the new agricultural season, according to the Russian Grain Exporters Union. Russia has become the dominant global exporter of wheat in recent years.
Egypt was second, followed by Libya, and Morocco. Russia has pushed French grain out of the Moroccan market following tensions between Rabat and Paris.
Bangladesh was fifth, however the country has found itself in the risk zone for Russian supplies due to the recent dramatic events that led to the prime minister’s resignation. This could change the countries food security policy, including for grain purchases.
| Country | Total Grain Purchases July 2024 (tonnes) |
| Saudi Arabia | 712,000 |
| Egypt | 529,000 |
| Libya | 317,000 |
| Morocco | 314,000 |
| Bangladesh | 253,000 |
The make up of Russia’s largest grain exports has changed over the past three years. In 2021, the main importers included Turkiye and Azerbaijan, however the targeting of Russian vessels, and in some cases, the confiscating of Russian grain cargo in the Black Sea has altered the trade dynamics.
Although China and India also produce huge amounts of grain, they also have huge populations, meaning much of what they produce is domestically consumed rather than exported. Russia has expanded its arable land use and productivity since 2020 and has been targeting new export markets in the MENA region, as well as Asia and Latin America.
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