Countries of the Middle East and North Africa are increasing their purchases of Russian barley.

The Federal Center "Agroexport" noted an increase in barley shipments from Russia in several directions, with the most noticeable growth in exports to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa: Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt. Analysts link this to rising demand and good prospects for the domestic harvest. As of the beginning of November, about 20 million tons of barley had been harvested in the country in bunker weight, compared to 17 million tons a year earlier. According to Agroexport, about 78 thousand tons of barley were exported to Iraq from July to the beginning of November, which is 61% higher than the total shipments for the entire 2024/25 season. Supplies to Egypt resumed after several seasons of stagnation. In principle, the country buys little barley (5-30 thousand tons over the last five seasons), however, this agricultural year Russia has already shipped 32 thousand tons of barley to Egypt, analysts note. Exports to Lebanon amounted to 30 thousand tons, which is ...