Russia: Barley exports up 94% in 2017/18

According to preliminary data, 2017/18 barley exports from Russia were up 94% year-over-year at a record 5.83 mln tonnes (excluding the Customs Union), reports UkrAgroConsult.

Exports slowed down in June – this is a normal trend for the end of season. Russian barley deliveries to foreign markets (excluding the Customs Union countries) totaled 359.8 thousand tonnes in June that is down 43% from May (629.9 thousand tonnes) but 54% more than in June 2017.

The country stepped up supplies to almost all major end markets. So, Saudi Arabia imported 2.3 mln tonnes of barley in MY 2017/18, or 86% more than in MY 2016/17. Shipments to Iran were boosted by 183%, to 1.4 mln tonnes. The most significant rises were seen in exports to Turkey (563 thousand tonnes against 50 thousand tonnes last season) and to Qatar (136.7 thousand tonnes against 29 thousand in MY 2016/17).

After a break in MY 2016/17, this season Kuwait imported 157.9 thousand tonnes, joining the ranks of major importers of Russian barley.

According to preliminary information of market sources, 2017/18 grain exports from Russia totalled some 53 mln tonnes that is up 47% from MY 2016/17. This included the following:

- wheat – 40.2 mln tonnes (+48% from MY 2016/17),

- barley – 5.83 mln tonnes (+98% from MY 2016/17),

- corn – 5.74 mln tonnes (+10% from MY 2016/17).