In 2022, Russian agricultural exports to the United Arab Emirates saw a significant increase, with the value rising by 72% and the physical volume of supplies growing 2.8 times to reach 902 thousand tons. The primary exports were grains, with wheat sales doubling to 663 thousand tons and barley shipments more than doubling to 85 thousand tons. Additionally, Russia exported 31 thousand tons of corn for the first time since 2017. Exports of leguminous crops to the UAE also increased, with over 37 thousand tons of peas and 17 thousand tons of lentils exported, marking increases of 2.9 and 2.6 times respectively compared to 2022.
The increase in wheat supplies from Russia to the UAE has been notable in recent years. For instance, in the 2019/2020 season, Russia exported over 900 thousand tons of wheat to the UAE. However, competition from Australia, which is a logistically attractive destination for the UAE, has impacted the market share. The El Niño effect in 2023/2024, which led to reduced rainfall and a drop in Australia's gross harvest to 25 million tons, provided an opportunity for Russian wheat to increase its market share in the UAE.
The UAE has also emerged as a significant market for Russian frozen fish, with exports increasing by 54% to nearly 30 thousand tons by the end of 2023. This development followed the agreement of a veterinary certificate between Russia and the UAE for the export of fish and other aquatic products.
Overall, the trade turnover of agricultural products between Russia and the UAE almost doubled in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting a growing interest and successful cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two countries.
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