Brazil increased its wheat imports from Russia in June, buying 187.2 thousand tons for 41.3 million dollars after a five-month pause. The move marks a notable restart in bilateral grain trade, with customs data highlighting the pace and scale of the relaunch.
In July, shipments climbed further to 241 thousand tons, valued at 56.2 million dollars. The month showed a 29% rise from June and was 1.4 times higher than a year earlier, signaling a robust rebound in demand and a renewed appetite for Russian wheat among Brazil’s buyers.
Brazilian customs data note that July shipments were only 2% below the record level reached in September 2022, underscoring the strong momentum seen in recent months for grain imports from Russia and the resilience of Brazil’s food-import program in a global market context.
Overall, Brazil’s wheat imports surged by 54% in the month, reaching 646 thousand tons. The trend suggests a cumulative rise of about 1.6 times compared with the same period in the previous year, with total imports hinting at a potential approach toward the 4 million ton mark in the early stages of 2023’s trade cycle.
Historically, the list of top buyers has shifted rapidly. In this period, Saudi Arabia emerged as a leading buyer, importing 712 thousand tons of Russian grain during July, followed by Egypt with 529 thousand tons and Libya at 317 thousand tons. These figures illustrate the diversified demand pattern for Russian grain across major Middle Eastern and North African markets, contributing to Russia’s role as a significant supplier in the regional and global grain trade.
Before this shift, Spain was noted for importing record amounts of grain from Russia, reflecting the country’s strategic use of Russian supplies to bolster domestic stocks and meet feed and milling needs in a tight global supply environment. The evolving mix of buyers highlights the responsiveness of importer countries to price signals, quality assurances, and logistical arrangements that align with their agricultural calendars and food security goals.