A group of Members of the European Parliament from the renewed European political family highlighted a sharp uptick in durum wheat imports from Russia into Italy during the past year. The figures, reported by Lenta.ru, show a dramatic rise that prompted scrutiny among lawmakers about how trade flows have shifted since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
During their dealings with the European Commission, the MEPs pointed to the broader sanctions framework adopted by the European Union in response to the crisis. Since the conflict began, the EU has rolled out 13 packages of restrictive measures covering goods previously sourced from the Russian Federation. The total value of these restrictions has reached the vicinity of 91.2 billion euros, underscoring the scale of the policy response and its impact on intra-EU trade and global supply chains.
Parliamentarians stressed that certain Russian products have managed to bypass some restrictions and enter the EU market, finding routes that circumvent screening processes and lists. Among the commodities cited, durum wheat was singled out as a case in point for having continued access to European markets, with noticeable activity traced through Italian imports.
The discussion highlighted how the 2023 surge in Russian durum wheat imports coincided with concerns about domestic producers in Italy. The rising volume was linked to broader supply considerations, including price dynamics and competition within the European grain market, which can influence farmers, processors, and distributors across the Italian agri-food sector.
In related trade developments, March data noted a significant export performance from Russia to other regions. A record shipment of 478 thousand tons of wheat, valued at approximately 139 million dollars, was directed to Pakistan, reinforcing Russia’s role as a major supplier of grain on the world stage and illustrating how regional demand patterns shape global grain flows.
Observations from senior Russian governance officials have also touched on harvest forecasts for the year, reflecting ongoing discussions about production expectations, weather-related variability, and how such forecasts might influence future export opportunities and market stability. These comments provide context for the broader dialogue about energy, agriculture, and trade policy tied to Russia’s role in global markets.
Citation: Lenta.ru.