Grain exports from Russia to approach last year's levels, forecast for current season remains unchanged - Abramchenko

MOSCOW. Nov 15 (Interfax) - Grain exports from Russia since the start of the 2022-2023 agricultural year (July 2022 - June 2023) are approaching last year's figures even despite barriers, Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko told reporters. The grain export forecast for the current agricultural year remains unchanged.

"Despite the sanctions, logistical and financial constraints, exports are approximately at last year's level. Last year on the same date we exported 15.6 million tonnes, today - 15.7 million tonnes," Abramchenko said.

Export of Russian wheat since the beginning of the current agricultural year amounted to 13.4 million tons compared to 13 million tonnes a year earlier, she said.

The forecast for grain exports from Russia in the current season remains unchanged (previously exports were forecast at 50 million tonnes). "We are not adjusting the forecast for exports," the deputy prime minister said.

She also recalled that the subcommittee on customs and tariff regulation supported the Agriculture Ministry's proposal to increase the grain export quota to 25.5 million tonnes (this year the quota was 11 million tonnes). It is envisaged that the quota will be valid from February 15 to June 30.

Abramchenko also reported that the grain harvest in Russia exceeded 152 million tonnes, including a wheat harvest of 105 million tonnes. "I think that this year's harvest will be within this value," she said.

The Russian grain harvest in 2022 is expected to reach about 150 million tonnes, including 100 million tons of wheat, the Agriculture Ministry said earlier.

In light of the expected harvest and the needs of the domestic market, Russia needs to export 50-60 million tonnes of grain, First Deputy Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said in September.