Turkey could become top buyer of Russian grain in June - expert
MOSCOW. June 19 (Interfax) - Turkey could become the biggest buyer of Russian grain in June, beating Egypt to first place, the director of CJSC Rusagrotrans' strategic marketing department Igor Pavensky forecasts.
"Turkey's share among the leading importers of Russian grain could total 13.4% in June, Iran - 9.1% and Egypt, traditionally the biggest buyer, will be 5.8%," Pavensky told Interfax.
He said that Russia exported around 1.6 million tonnes of grain in June, up from 912,000 tonnes in June 2016. Pavensky estimates wheat exports of 1 million tonnes compared to 705,000 tonnes in June last year, corn - 350,000 tonnes against 168,000 tonnes and barley - 200,000 tonnes against 12,000 tonnes.
Pavensky said that according to revised data, exports were 2.32 million tonnes in May, up 31% on May 2016 at 1.77 million tonnes. "This jump occurred due to the fact that Novorossiysk bought significantly more wheat - 601,000 tonnes compared to 225,000 tonnes last year," he said.
In total, 1.63 million tonnes of wheat was exported in May of this year, up 40% on 1.1 million tonnes a year previous. Barley exports were up 70% to 209,000 tonnes while corn fell 1% to 447,000 tonnes.
In total, from July 2016 to May 2017, according to revised data, Russia exported 33.6 million tonnes of grain, topping the July 2015-May-2016 figure of 33 million tonnes by 2%. Wheat exports were up 8% to 25.8 million tonnes and corn up 5% to 4.7 million tonnes. Barley shipments fell significantly from 4.3 million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes.
The main export market for Russian grain for the period was Egypt, buying 6.59 million tonnes, 7.9% more than the 6.1 million tonnes bought in July 2015-May 2016. Egpyt accounted for 19.6% of exports. Turkey is down on last year's export - to 3 million tonnes from 4.1 million tonnes, accounting for 9.2% of exports. Bangladesh was in third place, buying 1.96 million tonnes, up 71.2% from 1.1 million tonnes and accounting for 5.8%.
Iranian purchases declined to 1.56 million tonnes from 2.1 million tonnes. Its share was 4.7%. The top five buyers of Russian grain is rounded off by Azerbaijan with a 3.9% share; importing 1.3 million tonnes, up 10% on 1.1 million tonnes last year.
