Russia discussing expanding agro sales channels with Iran, ready to increase supplies - deputy agriculture minister

TEHRAN. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Russia and Iran discussed expanding the distribution channels for Russian agricultural products and food, including meat, confectionery and beverages on Tuesday during a visit to Tehran by a Russian delegation headed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Agriculture Minister Maxim Borovoi said.

"In general, [we discussed] expanding distribution channels for all products that are in our product range. In addition to grain, we could supply and increase volumes of meat, confectionery and beverages. Accordingly, we discussed these matters briefly, understanding that we would have a meeting of the joint working group in April," Borovoi told Interfax.

Borovoi said that boosting grain exports to Iran, including wheat, was not the subject of talks in response to whether the topic was discussed.

Borovoi said that it is too soon to talk about the prospects to increase grain supplies, which decreased in the previous export season. "Everything will depend on the harvest and, naturally, on the country's needs. Naturally, we are always ready to supply more," he explained.

Union of Grain Exporters and Producers data indicate that Iran imported 2.8 million tonnes of grain from Russia from July 2024 to January 2025, inclusive, thereby placing third among the principal buyers of Russian grain, including 600,000 tonnes of wheat, placing ninth. Purchases decreased from 3.9 million tonnes and 900,000 tonnes, respectively, from the previous year.

Iran purchased its largest volume of Russian wheat totaling 3.7 million tonnes in the agricultural year from July 2021-January 2022. Purchases decreased to 1.6 million tonnes a year later and to 900,000 tonnes in the agricultural year from July 2023 to January 2024. The largest volume of grain purchased totaled 5.1 million tonnes also in the agricultural year from July 2021 to January 2022.