American -Russian struggle for the wheat market in West Africa policy

The American company Ceepard is one of the most prominent grinding companies in Côte d’Ivoire through the “Great Abidjan Mills”, and it doubles its efforts locally and competes with Russian wheat in Mali and Burkina Faso.

On September 23, a shipment of American wheat weighing 27,000 tons reached the port of Abidjan, in a festive atmosphere in the Greater Abidjan mills.

The US ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Jessica Davis Ba, attended, and she appeared carrying a glass container containing wheat planted in America.

Sibord is usually conservative, but has organized an official reception for this shipment, which is the first prominent return of American wheat to the region for more than 17 years.

About 16,000 tons will be devoted to the Cote d’Ivoire market, while the remaining amount will be sent to Mali (8 thousand tons) and Burkina Faso (3 thousand tons), which are two members of the coalition of the Sahel countries, which has moved away from the West in favor of Russia.

In Senegal, the Great Dakar Mills also received a shipment of American wheat in September, indicating an American move to face the escalation of Russian wheat influence in the coast.

Firm cooperation

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russia – one of the largest wheat suppliers globally – has intensified its shipments to Africa.

At the second Russia-Africa summit in July 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to provide 200,000 tons of wheat for free to 6 African countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso.

These promises were implemented, as Bamako alone received at least 75 thousand tons. In response, the United States began to approach Mali and Burkina Faso through official visits to re -cooperate in several areas.

Although the declared American quantity is modest, it carries a strong symbolic significance.

Ambassador Davis Pa, the quality of American wheat, and considered the shipment as evidence of the continuation of strong relations between Washington and West Africa, despite the high customs duties and the end of development aid announced by President Donald Trump earlier this year.

80 million dollars investments

In Côte d’Ivoire, where France dominates wheat imports by 80% of 1.5 million tons in 2024, Siberfard’s move comes with additional momentum.

The American shipment was agreed after negotiations with the port authorities in December 2024, paving the way for the larger flows in the future.

In Abidjan, Carré d’or is competing with Carré D’Or, which has modern d’Ivoire mills.

Sibuder has invested about $ 12 million to raise the storage capacity to 50 thousand tons and secure energy through 6 -megawatled generators.

Since October 2023, Francois Minanto has managed the Greater Abidjan Mills, and during the ceremony it has announced a new investment of $ 80 million to build a factory for pasta, nutrition and animal fodder in the southeast of Bonoa Industrial Zone.

This project differs from the plan of the former owner, Jean-Cleood Maralan, who was planning in 2016 to establish a pasta unit worth $ 25.7 million inside the Abidjan port.

“The entry of Americans to the pasta market shows the vitality of this market, which is currently dominated by the Maman brand of Kary’s role,” says one of the workers in the sector.

The Cote d’Ivoire mills company, which is affiliated with the Avos Group, led by Jean-Mary Akah, is also active in this field as well.