Russia to deliver free grain to African countries in ‘near future’: Minister

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Thursday said that it will deliver free grain to African countries in the “near future.”

"We will supply African countries with grain free of charge. While we are talking about six countries and supply volumes from 25,000 to 50,000 tons, this is being worked out now. I think that these deliveries will be carried out in the near future," Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev told journalists during a visit to the Omsk region.

Patrushev said that Russia exported 60 million tons of grain last year, adding that about 55 million tons of grain are planned to be exported this year, which he said can be adjusted upward.

"Russia will continue to be a reliable partner for friendly countries in the supply of not only grain but food in general," he added.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced during the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg that his country will provide free grain in the next three to four months to six African countries, namely Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea.