Turkey Eyes Supplying One Million Tons of Russian Grain to Africa With Russian and Qatari Backing
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reiterated Ankara’s plan to deliver a sizable shipment of Russian grain to African nations, signaling a coordinated effort with Moscow. The commitment to provide one million tons of grain was outlined after discussions with the Russian leadership and was reported by TASS. Erdoğan stressed that more grain must reach African countries and other regions in need, underscoring a broader humanitarian and economic objective that aligns with ongoing diplomacy between Ankara and Moscow.
The pledge to move one million tons of grain to Africa emerged in the wake of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Erdoğan mentioned that he proposed to further increase this volume, indicating flexibility in response to demand and the evolving dynamics of the grain supply framework. The discussions reflect a shared interest in expanding grain flows and stabilizing prices for regions facing food insecurity.
During late August, meetings between the Turkish and Russian foreign ministers—Sergei Lavrov and Hakan Fidan—covered strategies to arrange the supply of one million tons of Russian grain to Turkey at a preferential price, aided by financial support from Qatar. The topic remained on the agenda when Putin and Erdoğan discussed it again in Sochi at the start of September, signaling a continuing push to finalize terms and delivery schedules across multiple channels.
On September 18, Vasily Nebenzya, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, noted that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his team may not possess the power to resolve the systemic issues affecting Russia’s portion of the grain agreement. This assessment points to the broader political and operational complexities surrounding international grain deals and the roles of multilateral institutions in facilitating them.
Earlier, discussions about the Grain Agreement were covered in coverage relating to Guterres, highlighting ongoing coordination among governments, international organizations, and host nations as the agreement seeks to stabilize food supplies amid regional and global pressures.
In this evolving landscape, the grain accord continues to be a focal point of foreign policy and humanitarian strategy for the involved parties. Analysts note that the arrangement aims to balance commercial supply, price considerations, and humanitarian needs, while navigating geopolitical tensions that influence cross-border flows and concession terms. The outcome of these negotiations will shape Africa’s access to essential staple grains and influence the broader dynamics of international support for food security.