Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Afghanistan emerged as Russia’s largest flour importer in 2024, doubling its purchases and surpassing other buyers, according to Russia’s state agricultural export agency, Agroexport. The agency revealed on Friday that Afghanistan imported Russian flour worth nearly $80 million last year, a significant increase from the previous year.
Afghanistan’s reliance on flour imports stems from its insufficient domestic production capacity, as noted in a Reuters report. The dramatic rise in imports coincides with Russia’s broader efforts to strengthen its relationship with Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate government.
In December 2024, Russia’s parliament advanced a law paving the way for potentially recognizing the Islamic Emirate government. The proposed legislation includes provisions to remove the Islamic Emirate from a list of banned terrorist organizations, signaling a shift in diplomatic ties.
Russia’s total wheat and wheat-rye flour exports amounted to $300 million in 2024, marking a 3% increase in value and a 7% rise in volume compared to 2023, Agroexport reported. Other top buyers included China and Turkmenistan, though Afghanistan’s imports stood out for their unprecedented growth.
The deepening trade relationship highlights Afghanistan’s growing dependence on Russian agricultural exports amid its domestic challenges and signals a notable shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the region.
