Russian wheat CIF for Egypt and North Africa
Market information updated: August 2026. Figures and market references in this article are for orientation only — they are not a firm offer. Request a quotation for an executable price.
Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia remain core destinations for Russian-origin wheat under CIF and related sea terms. This guide focuses on what North African importers should lock before requesting a firm offer: destination port, specification, phytosanitary path, payment structure and realistic MOQ.
Demetra Trading quotes 12.5% milling wheat, 11.5%, 10.5% feed wheat and yellow corn for North African discharge. Published $/t levels are indicative only — ask for a firm CIF (or FOB) offer for your laycan.
Why Egypt and North Africa buy Russian wheat
Egyptian tenders and private millers absorb large Black Sea volumes into Alexandria, Damietta and other Mediterranean berths. Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia use Russian wheat for milling blends and feed programs when protein, freight and arrival timing fit the local stock position.
- Competitive Black Sea freight into Eastern / Central Mediterranean;
- Familiar protein grades (often 11.5–12.5% for milling; 10.5% for feed);
- Parcel sizes that match silo intake and tender lots;
- Established surveyor and document practice on Russian load ports.
CIF destinations: Alexandria and peer ports
Name the discharge port in the RFQ. Alexandria is the reference for many Egyptian private and public cargoes; Damietta, Port Said and other berths apply when draft or congestion requires it. For Maghreb buyers, name Oran, Algiers, Casablanca, Safi, Tunis / Rades or the exact terminal your agent confirms.
CIF includes contractual marine insurance to the named port; CFR does not. Under either term the buyer remains responsible for import clearance, duties and inland logistics unless otherwise agreed.
Specifications for North African mills and feeders
- Protein basis and minimum (e.g. 12.5% milling or 10.5% feed);
- Moisture max, test weight, foreign matter, damaged kernels;
- Wet gluten and falling number where milling end-use requires them;
- Mycotoxins and pesticide residues within destination limits;
- Crop year, fumigation and hold-cleanliness requirements.
Avoid “standard Russian wheat” wording. Measurable SPA limits protect both sides at discharge sampling.
Phytosanitary and import documentation
North African destinations typically require a phytosanitary certificate, fumigation certificate where applicable, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, B/L, quality and weight certificates, and any health / conformity papers the importer’s customs broker lists before signing.
Confirm Egypt / Algeria / Morocco / Tunisia plant-health and food-safety rules for the crop year before you fix the vessel. Document gaps discovered after loading create costly delays.
Payment structure and MOQ in 2026
Demetra Trading uses portal-administered multisignature escrow for approved counterparties. Exact milestones are written in the SPA and proforma. Minimum parcel sizes depend on vessel stem, terminal and destination — often starting in the multi-thousand MT range for bulk wheat; smaller flexitank or container programs are product-specific. Request MOQ with your RFQ rather than assuming a published floor.
Common CIF mistakes for Egypt and Maghreb buyers
- RFQ without named discharge port or Incoterms® version;
- Comparing FOB Black Sea with CIF Alexandria as the same $/t;
- Ignoring draft, congestion and demurrage at Mediterranean berths;
- Leaving phytosanitary requirements to “later”;
- Understating quantity so the stem cannot be stemmed economically;
- Treating an indicative market print as a firm offer.
RFQ checklist to receive a firm offer
- Buyer legal entity and country of registration;
- Product grade and full specification;
- Quantity, tolerance and target MOQ;
- CIF / CFR / FOB with named port;
- Preferred shipment month / laycan;
- Inspection preference at load;
- Confirmation of portal and escrow settlement acceptance.