Source: APKinform (Ukraine)
In March, Russia exported 4.6 million tons of wheat. This is 2.1 times more than in the same month last year, Interfax reports, citing monitoring data from the Russian Grain Union. Russian wheat exports doubled thus achieved a remarkable surge.
Key figures behind Russian wheat exports doubled
As Elena Tyurina, Director of the RGU’s Analytical Department, clarified, exports of all major grain crops increased 2.4-fold last month, reaching almost 5.3 million tons. Corn shipments increased 14-fold, reaching 379,500 tons. Furthermore, barley shipments increased to 288,000 tons, up from 3,800 tons a year earlier.
Geopolitical factors and top buyer performance
“The main factor in this dynamic is, of course, geopolitics and the risk of grain shortages in importing countries. All major buyers of Russian grain increased their purchases in March,” the analyst said.
Consequently, wheat exports to Egypt increased 2.7-fold, to over 1 million tons. Likewise, shipments to Turkey rose 3.3-fold, to 503,700 tons. Sudan rounded out the top three, with shipments to its market increasing by 46%, to 292,700 tons.
Corn and barley destination markets
Meanwhile, Iran was the main buyer of Russian corn in March, with 253,000 tons. A year ago, there were no shipments to this country. Turkey purchased 104,000 tons. Exports also expanded to Afghanistan, where 12,000 tons were shipped.
Barley was shipped primarily to Turkey and Iran, with 125,500 and 65,600 tons, respectively.
Season-to-date outlook
According to E. Tyurina, overall Russian wheat exports for the first nine months of 2025/26 amounted to 37.5 million tons. However, this represents a 4.7% decrease compared to the same period last season.
“We can say that by the end of the season, we will reach 45 million tons or more in wheat exports,” she predicts.