Blitz published on 24 May 2026 an article titled "Africa's Growing Appetite for Russian Grain Signals a New Economic Reality" by M.A. Hossain.
Russian grain exports to Africa are expanding at an unprecedented pace because of competitive pricing and a desire by African countries to diversify sourcing.
The Council on Foreign Relations published on 19 July 2023 an analysis titled "Russia Killed the Black Sea Grain Deal. These Countries Could Suffer Most" by Kali Robinson.
Ukraine produces about 10 percent of the world's wheat and 15 percent of its corn. Russia's cancellation of the deal to allow Ukraine to export grain from Black Sea ports will negatively impact a number of African countries. The percentage of wheat imported from Ukraine as a share of total wheat imports follows: Libya (49 %), Ethiopia (45 %), Tunisia (31 %), Mauritania (23 %), Madagascar (20 %), Nigeria (18 %), Kenya (14 %), Zambia (13 %), and Uganda (12 %).
Agence France Press published on 12 January 2023 an article titled "European Ministers in Ethiopia Hail Peace Progress" by Celine Le Prioux.
The French and German foreign ministers visited Ethiopia this week and praised progress towards peace in Tigray Region. They also noted that Ukraine donated 50,000 tons of wheat to Ethiopia and Somalia with transport costs covered by France and Germany.
The German Foreign Office posted on 22 September 2022 a press release titled "Ukrainian Wheat for the Horn of Africa: Germany Supports International Assistance Mission."
In spite of Russia's invasion, Ukraine is donating 50,000 tons of wheat to the people of Ethiopia and Somalia. Germany and France are providing funding to the World Food Program to cover the cost of transportation.
The Guardian (Nigeria) published on 14 July 2022 an article titled "Russia-Ukraine Conflict: What It Means for Africa" by Oluwafemi S. Agbelusi.
The author identifies the following reasons why many African countries have failed to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine: skepticism of NATO's motives, growing reliance on Moscow for arms purchases, increasing dependence on Russia for wheat and fertilizer, and a belief that this marks a return to the Cold War.
The Conversation published on 21 June 2022 a commentary titled "No Time for Complacency: Somalia's Unfolding Famine Catastrophe" by Mukesh Kapila, University of Manchester.
Somalia is on the brink of catastrophe with 7.7 million Somalis needing assistance now due to 3 successive years of failed rains leading to the worst drought in 4 decades. Russia's invasion of Ukraine contributes to the disaster because Somalia gets 90 percent of its wheat from that region.
South Africa's Institute for Security Studies published on 10 June 2022 a commentary titled "Africa Must Separate the Wheat from Russia's Geopolitical Chaff" by Peter Fabricius.
Vladimir Putin's meeting with the chairperson of the African Union and the head of the African Union Commission on the Africa food crisis ended without clarity on the next steps Russia will take to free up the export of Ukrainian and Russian grain.
The New Internationalist published on 7 June 2022 an article titled "The War in Ukraine Has Hit Africa's Food Security" by Ugochi Anyaka Oluigbo.
The author argues that Russia's invasion of Ukraine and blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports threatens to cause serious damage to food supplies in Africa, which is heavily dependent on Russian and Ukrainian grain.
Pass Blue published on 6 June 2022 an article titled "9,000 Miles Away, South Africa's Economy Feels the Pain of Russia's War in Ukraine" by Nyasha Bhobo.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine and blockade of its Black Sea ports has driven up food and fertilizer prices in South Africa, resulting in concerns about possible food riots. South Africa's "neutral" position on the war has resulted in a sharp policy difference between the ruling African National Congress and the opposition Democratic Alliance.
The New York Times published on 5 June 2022 an article titled "Russia Seeks Buyers for Plundered Ukraine Grain, U.S. Warns" by Declan Walsh and Valerie Hopkins.
The US has warned 14 countries, mostly in Africa, that the Kremlin is trying to sell grain that it has stolen from storage facilities in those parts of Ukraine that it has invaded.
The Guardian published on 31 May 2022 an article titled "Africa Warns of Food Crisis Due to Russian Blockade of Ukraine's Ports" by Jennifer Rankin.
Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, African countries imported 44 percent of their wheat from Ukraine and Russia. The war has resulted in both food shortages and price rises in Africa.
The Telegraph published on 21 May 2022 an article titled "'We Can No Longer Afford to Eat': Ukraine War Pushes Millions into Starvation" by Sarah Newey.
Russia's blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports has pushed food prices to record highs in the Horn of Africa, which is contributing to growing cases of starvation.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 19 April 2022 an analysis titled "How the IMF and World Bank Can Support African Economies Hit Hard by Russia's Invasion of Ukraine" by David McNair.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the prices of staple commodities such as wheat, barley, and vegetable oils have skyrocketed due in part because Russia and Ukraine are the breadbasket of the world. They export a third of the world's wheat, a quarter of the world's barley, and 69 percent of the world's sunflower oil. Ukraine's Black Sea ports are blocked and Russia has apparently shelled its granaries and mined farmland. An acute food crisis is developing in west and central Africa. Higher food prices are also adding to Africa's high debt service challenges.
News24 posted on 14 April 2022 an article titled "Russia-Ukraine War Will Hit Africa Hard and Could Even Lead to Conflict - World Bank" by Khulekani Magubane.
The war in Ukraine will likely increase pressure on food staples, oil, gas and other essentials in Africa says the World Bank. The biggest concern is that this increased pressure could lead to local conflict in Africa.
The Conversation published on 30 March 2022 a commentary titled "Five Reasons Why Many African Countries Choose to Be 'Neutral'" by Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University.
The author suggests the following 5 reasons why many African countries have taken a "neutral" position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine: (1) skepticism about the motives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; (2) growing reliance by some African countries on Russian arms; (3) growing dependence on Russia for wheat and fertilizer; (4) a sense that this is a return of the Cold War; and (5) the perception of some African countries that traditional Western allies are only focused on self interest.
Comment: Unfortunately, this analysis seems to omit any reference to the aggrieved party, Ukraine, or the depredations brought to it by Russia.
Oxfam International posted on 22 March 2022 a warning titled "As Many as 28 Million People across East Africa at Risk of Extreme Hunger If Rains Fail Again."
Oxfam International reports that 21 million people in East Africa and the Horn now face severe food insecurity. The number could rise to 28 million depending on March rains. The most impacted countries are Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan. Russia's invasion of Ukraine (both countries are major sources of wheat for these countries) is contributing to the problem.
Aljazeera published on 29 March 2022 an article titled "AFDB President: Ukraine War Could Trigger a Food Crisis in Africa" by Jack Dutton.
Africa is heavily dependent on wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Wheat prices have increased by 64 percent since the beginning of the conflict and fertilizer prices are also rising sharply. The head of the African Development Bank concluded the war could "trigger a food crisis in Africa."
The Voice of America published on 19 March 2022 an article titled "Ukraine War to Compound Hunger, Poverty in Africa, Experts Say" by Mohammed Yusuf.
At least 25 African countries import a third of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine and 15 import more than half from these two countries. Wheat prices have already risen sharply. The UN's International Fund for Agricultural Development warns that the war will increase global hunger and poverty.
The Irish Times published on 16 March 2022 an article titled "Africa Already Paying the Price for Europe's Unexpected War" by David McNair.
Twenty-three African countries are dependent on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their staple goods. This includes 80 % of the wheat imported by Sudan, Egypt, Tanzania, Eritrea, and Benin and more than 95 % of the sunflower oil imported by Algeria, Sudan, and Tunisia. Putin's war is already driving up prices of these products.
The Daily Maverick published on 14 March 2022 a commentary titled "Russia's War in Ukraine Will Spark Food and Energy Crises in South Africa" by Natale Labia.
The price of grain has soared as shipments from Black Sea ports virtually ground to a halt. Russia and Ukraine supply about a third of the world's wheat. If farmers in Ukraine do not start planting soon, there will be a huge crisis in food security. South African wheat exporters will benefit from higher prices but consumers will suffer. Higher energy prices will also have a negative impact on South Africa's economy.
