Russian wheat and wheat-rye flour exports soared by 30% in 2024, reaching over 920,000 tonnes, according to a report by the Russian agricultural export agency, Agroexport. This increase, up from approximately 720,000 tonnes in 2023, highlights the growing demand for Russian flour, particularly in Afghanistan, which became the largest importer in the past year.
Afghanistan’s flour imports surged as the country’s domestic production struggled to meet the population’s needs. Agroexport reported that Afghanistan doubled its purchases of Russian flour, reaching a value of nearly €73.6 million, compared to €36.8 million in 2023. This rise in imports is attributed to Afghanistan’s ongoing challenges with agricultural instability, including war, droughts, and a lack of production capacity.
Alongside Afghanistan, China and Iraq were significant buyers of Russian flour in 2024, contributing to a broader global demand for the product. Russian exports of wheat and wheat-rye flour have now expanded by 7% in volume and 3% in value compared to the previous year, amounting to a total of €276 million.
Experts from Agroexport forecast that by 2030, Russian flour exports could reach 1.7 million tonnes, with further increases in market value. The success of these exports is seen as part of Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen its economic ties with countries in Central Asia and the Middle East, including Afghanistan.
As Afghanistan faces severe food security challenges due to instability and environmental conditions, its reliance on imports like Russian flour is expected to continue. Agroexport’s projections for 2030 suggest that Russia’s flour exports could exceed €404 million, underscoring the growing importance of the agricultural sector in Russian foreign trade.
