On January 19, 2025, a historic milestone was achieved when Russia exported its first batch of wheat to Israel. This shipment, weighing 48.7 thousand tons, was dispatched from the Port of Vysotsky in the Leningrad Region. The wheat underwent rigorous quality and safety tests, including fumigation and phytosanitary certification, to meet Israel’s strict import requirements.
Specialists from the St. Petersburg branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Center for Grain Quality Assessment” conducted the quality assessment. Testing confirmed that the wheat met the safety and quality standards mandated by Israel, ensuring its readiness for export. The shipment was accompanied by detailed protocols, including quarantine clearance and phytosanitary disinfection records, guaranteeing the product’s compliance with international standards.
Expanding Global Reach
Israel represents a new and promising market for Russian grain exporters. According to Anita Milekhina, director of the St. Petersburg branch of the Grain Quality Center, the move is part of a broader strategy to diversify export destinations. In addition to Israel, Russian grain shipments from Leningrad Region ports have reached countries such as Vietnam, Togo, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Senegal in 2025 alone.
This diversification is a direct result of ongoing efforts by Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance. The organization works closely with foreign embassies, plant protection agencies, and inspection bodies to remove trade barriers and facilitate access to new markets. Collaboration with the Israeli Embassy in Russia and Israel’s Plant Protection and Inspection Services has been crucial to this breakthrough.
Strengthening Russia’s Position in Global Grain Markets
Since the start of 2025, the testing laboratory of the St. Petersburg branch has analyzed over 200 thousand tons of export-bound wheat. This reflects a strong demand for Russian grain on the global stage, underscoring its quality and competitiveness. By expanding into markets like Israel, Russian exporters are demonstrating their ability to meet the stringent requirements of high-value markets while showcasing the reliability of their agricultural supply chain.
The first wheat shipment to Israel marks an important step in Russia’s agricultural export strategy, emphasizing quality, safety, and adaptability to diverse market demands. As Russian exporters continue to open new trade routes and eliminate barriers, the country’s role as a leading global grain supplier is set to grow. This success highlights the importance of international collaboration and the commitment of Russian authorities to support exporters in navigating new markets.
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