Taliban-ruled Afghanistan became the largest importer of Russian flour in 2024, doubling its purchases, Reuters reported, citing Russia's state agricultural export agency Agroexport.
Afghanistan is reported to be importing flour due to a lack of domestic production capacity to fully meet its demand.
The surge in imports comes as Russia seeks to strengthen ties with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers. Moscow took another step toward recognizing the Taliban government last month when the Russian parliament voted for a law to remove the movement from a list of banned terrorist organizations.
Agroexport, citing preliminary data, reported that in 2024 Afghanistan purchased Russian flour worth about $80 million, which is twice as much as in 2023.
According to the regulator, the total value of Russian wheat and wheat-rye flour exports in 2024 reached USD 300 million, which is 3% more in value and 7% more in volume compared to the previous year.
China and Turkmenistan are among the three largest export destinations for Russian flour.
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