Taliban becomes largest buyer of Russian flour in 2024 – Reuters

Taliban-ruled Afghanistan became the largest importer of Russian flour in 2024, doubling its purchases.

Source: Reuters, citing Russia's state agricultural export agency Agroexport

Details: Afghanistan reportedly imports flour due to insufficient domestic production capacity to fully meet its demand.

The surge in imports comes amid Russia's efforts to strengthen ties with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers. Last month, Moscow took another step towards recognising the Taliban government when the Russian parliament voted in favour of a law allowing the movement to be removed from the list of banned terrorist organisations.

Agroexport, referencing preliminary data, reported that Afghanistan purchased nearly US$80 million worth of Russian flour in 2024, marking a twofold increase compared to 2023.

According to the watchdog, the total value of Russian wheat and wheat-rye flour exports in 2024 reached US$300 million, reflecting a 3% increase in value and a 7% rise in volume compared to the previous year.

China and Turkmenistan ranked as two of the top three destinations for Russian flour exports.

Background: Russia committed to accepting labour migrants from Afghanistan and providing them with jobs in certain regions of the country.

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