The country is increasingly dependent on Russia in this area – Novaya Tribune

this Russia has become a major player in the global grain market, dominating exports. The country produces considerable amounts of wheat, barley and maize annually and accounts for a large share of international consumption. Ukraine This has led to greater scrutiny of its business activities, raising questions about the stability of supply and the geopolitical impact of such food dependence. Despite these tensions, Russia has maintained its position as a major supplier to many importing countries, especially in North Africa.

this Tunisia This growing trend of dependence on Russian grain is perfectly illustrated by the fact that the Maghreb countries have significantly increased their imports from RussiaDuring the event, the purchase volume tripled to 1.1 million tons 2023/2024This astonishing growth mainly concerns wheat, which currently accounts for 39% of Tunisia’s total cereal imports.

This development is part of a wider regional context, with other North African countries, e.g. Egypt wait Algeriaand is also strengthening Moscow In the grains sector. However, Tunisia stands out for the extent to which it has turned to Russian products.

Tunisia’s growing interest in Russian grains is not limited to wheat. The country has expressed a desire to expand the range of imported products to include barley and corn, among others. This diversification reflects a strategy aimed at strengthening national food security.

Tunisian authorities plan to formalize this privileged commercial relationship through a bilateral agreement with Russia, a move that would mark a significant shift from the country’s traditional procurement practices based on open tenders.

Tunisia’s goals are clear: Ensuring a stable supply of cereals is a key element of food security. Faced with climate challenges and geopolitical uncertainties, the country is looking to diversify its supply sources while ensuring a certain predictability in deliveries.

Tunisia and Russia’s rapprochement over food raises questions about the long-term impact on Tunisia’s economy and diplomacy. It also reflects the challenge facing many food-importing countries, forced to choose between food security imperatives and geopolitical considerations.

As Tunisia strengthens its ties with Russia in this strategic sector, it remains to be seen how this will affect its relations with other trading partners and how the international community will react to this growing dependence.