Russian wheat exports to Algeria could grow to 2.5 mln tonnes this farming year - Grain Exporters Union

ALGIERS. Nov 16 (Interfax) - Russia may export 2.5 million tonnes of wheat to Algeria this agricultural year (July 2023-June 2024), Eduard Zernin, head of the Grain Exporters Union, told Interfax on the sidelines of a business mission of Russian agricultural exporters to Algeria.

"Algeria is one of the largest importers of grain in the world and an important market for Russian wheat, with supply volumes growing from season to season," he said. "Since the beginning of the current season [from July 1, 2023] we have already supplied more than 1.3 million tonnes, while a year earlier this was only 340,000 tonnes."

In the season as a whole (ends June 30, 2024), exports could reach 2.5 million tonnes, he said, adding that "in general, there may be more, taking into account feed crops."

According to Zernin, such progress is due to direct business contacts established within the framework of "grain diplomacy" initiatives conducted by the union together with the Agriculture Ministry, Rosselkhoznadzor and the Agroexport center. "During the current business mission, Russian exporters had an opportunity to discuss the expansion of wheat and forage crops supplies to Algeria, as well as to submit the documents required for state accreditation as suppliers," he said.

According to Agroexport, Russia exported 1.3 million tonnes of wheat worth $408 million to Algeria in calendar year 2022, a 4-fold increase in value terms.