Russian Agro Exports to Africa to Grow

Russia is among the top ten exporters of food to Africa, exporting to a total of $387million, Russian agriculture minister Alexander Tkachev told a discussion panel at the exhibition in Dubai, Gulfood 2018.

The panel discussed prospects of Russia’s cooperation with Africa and the Gulf.

“We are ready to increase actively our presence in the Africa, considering the fast growth of the African countries’ populations and economies,” the Russian minister said.

As an example, Russia’s export of food to Nigeria alone picked up by 2% in 2017 on the previous year, rising to $261million.

Russia’s advantage over other suppliers is convenient transport logistics via its Black Sea ports, which give it an edge in the speed of delivery to North African and Middle Eastern ports.

Russia, with its large Muslim population, has an established internal market of halal food too, and has thus a great export potential, Tkachev said. An increasing number of meat processing factories become certified halal producers. The register of halal certified producers currently includes more than 30 factories across the country producing over 70 halal products. “We see the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran and Pakistan as potential markets for our halal exports,” the Russian agriculture minister said.

Source: Svetich IA