Australia boosts wheat shipments to Africa and Yemen amid Black Sea disruptions

Australia exported 1.66 million tons of wheat in August, which is 16% less than in July and 13% lower than in August 2025. At the same time, the share of African and Middle Eastern countries in the structure of Australian wheat exports has increased significantly.

 

Bulk wheat shipments to East Africa, Yemen and Oman reached 381.9 thousand tonnes in August, up 72% from last year. The increase came amid disruptions to Black Sea grain exports and shipping problems in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

 

The largest buyer of Australian bulk wheat in August was the Philippines, which imported 337.5 thousand tonnes. Indonesia imported 222.4 thousand tonnes, and Yemen imported 215.4 thousand tonnes.

Significant volumes of Australian wheat were also sent to Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, confirming continued high demand for Australian grain in Asian markets.

 

Containerized wheat exports from Australia in August amounted to 141.7 thousand tons. The largest destinations were China - 23 thousand tons, Malaysia - 19.5 thousand tons and Vietnam - 18.3 thousand tons.

Durum wheat supplies were absent from the August statistics.

 

Australia's growing presence in African and Middle Eastern markets indicates a gradual redistribution of global wheat trade flows against the backdrop of logistical risks in the Black Sea.

 

Disruptions to Black Sea supplies create additional opportunities for Australian exporters, who can partially replace wheat from Ukraine and other traditional suppliers from the Black Sea region in African and Middle Eastern markets.

 

Persistent shipping problems in the Black Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area may continue to support a redistribution of global wheat exports in favor of Australia and other alternative suppliers.