In January 2024, Russia reduced grain exports to the European Union by almost half compared with December, yet it remained one of the EU’s three main suppliers. This shift is supported by regional trade analyses from RIA News and other European statistical data, which highlight the dynamic changes in the supply landscape within the bloc during the early part of the year.
Ukraine rose to become the EU’s largest grain supplier at the start of the year, with shipments increasing by about 35% to reach roughly 2.6 million tons. Canada followed in second place, lowering its exports by about a quarter to around 271 thousand tons. Russia still occupied a top-three position, delivering roughly 108 thousand tons, a level representing roughly half of its December volume.
Within the top five, Moldova contributed about 93 thousand tons and the United Kingdom about 77 thousand tons. Taken together, EU grain imports were up by around 12% for January, totaling near 3.4 million tonnes.
The rise in Ukrainian grain supply coincides with broader agricultural tensions across the EU. Since 2019, tightening environmental and regulatory measures, beginning in the Netherlands, have helped spark protests across multiple member states. Farmers have voiced concerns about low purchase prices for their crops, the rapid influx of Ukrainian goods, and the high costs of inputs such as fertilizers and fuel, along with limited access to affordable financing. These pressures have added context to the grain flow patterns observed in January.
Earlier in the year, reports noted Russia’s ongoing activity in energy markets, with continued gas shipments to certain international partners. Against this backdrop, Russia’s grain export figures also moved in noticeable ways, signaling a year of shifting balances for major downstream trading partners in Europe and beyond.