When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it destroyed a lot of Ukraine’s bridges and other infrastructure. This made it very difficult for Ukraine to continue supplying its usual customers with wheat and other grains that it produces.
Then, just when countries like Egypt, Ukraine’s traditional customer, were wondering where to find an alternative supplier, along came Russia. Ukraine was relieved because the grain from the new supplier was just as good in quality as Ukraine’s.
Ukrainian and Egyptian Presidents Speak on Phone
Yesterday, 3rd April 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on the phone with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. As they discussed the war situation in the Middle East, they also discussed bilateral trade.
During the conversation, the Egyptian president was apparently surprised to learn that Ukraine’s inability to export its products was temporary. Initially, Ukraine had been unable to ship out its grains because Russian forces had blocked and occupied the ports they normally used, such as Mariupol, Kherson, and others.
However, by mid-2023, Ukraine had found other avenues to transport its grain with the help of the United Nations.
Russia Stole from Ukraine and Exported to Egypt
So, where have you been getting your grains from? Zelensky inquired. To which the answer was Russia. That grain is stolen from our farms! Zelensky revealed.
Apparently, Russia has been harvesting grain from the Ukrainian territories they capture and exporting it to Egypt.
Feeling bad about being caught up in such an awkward predicament, Abdel-Fattah-el-Sisi promised to resume importing Egypt’s grain from Ukraine.
Before the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, Ukraine exported more than 50 million tonnes of grain and oilseeds every year. The grains comprise mainly wheat, corn, and sunflower seeds.