Egypt, one of the world’s largest wheat importers, has traditionally sourced 99% of its grain imports from Russia in the form of wheat. However, recent discussions between Rosselkhoznadzor (Russia’s agricultural watchdog) and Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture indicate a shift toward expanding trade to include corn and soybean meal.
According to Rosselkhoznadzor, while wheat remains dominant, Egypt is keen on balancing its grain imports by adding corn—a critical feed grain for Egypt’s poultry and livestock sectors. The global corn market is highly competitive, with Russia emerging as a key player, exporting 43.9 million tons in 2023/24 (USDA data). If Egypt increases purchases, Russia could further solidify its position as a top corn supplier.
Soybean meal, another high-protein feed ingredient, is also in demand as Egypt’s poultry industry expands. Russia’s soybean production has been growing, reaching 6.3 million tons in 2023 (Soybean & Corn Advisor), making it a viable alternative to South American suppliers.
Russia’s Interest in Egyptian Horticulture and Seafood
In return, Russia seeks to boost imports of Egyptian citrus fruits, vegetables, and seafood. Currently, Egypt supplies Russia mainly with oranges (297,300 tons in 2023, up 42.3%) and mandarins (181,500 tons, up 2.2x). However, Russia is also interested in Egyptian potatoes (274,500 tons, up 4.6x) and onions (13,000 tons, up 1.7x).
Additionally, Russia is exploring fish and crustacean imports, which could open new revenue streams for Egyptian exporters.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade Infrastructure
Both nations agreed to accelerate the approval of a phytosanitary memorandum to streamline customs procedures. Russia also proposed integrating digital tracking systems to enhance trade transparency, offering technical support to Egypt, which is still developing its agricultural export monitoring platforms.
The Russia-Egypt agricultural trade is evolving beyond wheat, with corn and soybean meal poised to become new growth areas. Meanwhile, Russia’s demand for Egyptian horticultural and seafood products presents reciprocal opportunities. Strengthening trade logistics and digital integration will be key to unlocking this potential, benefiting farmers, traders, and agribusinesses in both countries.
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