Russian Assistance: 200K Tonnes of Free Grain Shipped to Six African Countries
Russia’s agriculture minister declared on Tuesday that Moscow has fulfilled its commitment to dispatch 200,000 metric tonnes of free grain to six African countries, as promised by President Vladimir Putin in July. The shipments included 50,000 tonnes each to Somalia and the Central African Republic and 25,000 tonnes each to Mali, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and Eritrea, according to Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev during a meeting with Putin.
This initiative stems from Putin’s pledge during a summit with African leaders in July following Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain initiative. This deal permitted Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Putin argued that the initiative failed to effectively deliver supplies to countries with the most urgent needs, despite its positive impact on reducing global market prices.
Patrushev highlighted the positive outcomes of the Russia-Africa summit, emphasizing the continued relations and cooperation with African nations. He informed Putin that the wheat deliveries to the designated countries were executed promptly. Looking ahead, Patrushev expressed Russia’s expectation to export up to 70 million metric tonnes of grain in the agricultural year 2023-2024. In the previous season, Russia achieved a shipment of 66 million tonnes, valued at nearly $16.5 billion.
The completion of the grain shipments underscores Russia’s commitment to fostering relationships with African nations and fulfilling international promises. As Russia continues to play a significant role in the global agricultural market, the successful execution of this initiative showcases its dedication to international cooperation and support.
