Grain exports from Russia decreased in June, but remain at a high level, reports the Russian Grain Union.

Last agricultural year, Russia exported abroad 68.4 million tons of grain, including 55.9 million tons of wheat, as reported by the Russian Grain Union, cited by "Interfax". Barley production reached a record 6.9 million tons, and corn shipments increased to 5.3 million tons. Elena Tyurina, director of the union's analytical department, reminded about the union's export forecast of 67 million tons. In the 2022/23 season, grain exports amounted to 60 million tons, including 47 million tons of wheat.

In June of the current year, exports decreased by 6.7% to 5 million tons. Wheat shipment volumes remained at the level of June last year (4.3 million tons), while barley exports decreased by 26% to 385 thousand tons, and corn shipments by 41% to 325 thousand tons. In June, Egypt became the main buyer of wheat, exceeding June last year's purchases by 9.3%. Turkey ranks second, but shipment volumes to that country decreased by 60%. Wheat exports to Saudi Arabia doubled. There was also active demand from Algeria, Yemen, Mozambique, Nigeria, and other countries.

Saudi Arabia remains the largest buyer of Russian barley, but shipments there decreased by 12%. Iran reduced purchases by 55%. In June, barley was also shipped to Kuwait, UAE, Libya, and Oman. Iran has been the main buyer of Russian corn for several months in a row, but shipment volumes decreased by 16% compared to June last year, amounting to 195 thousand tons. Turkey took second place with purchases of 130 thousand tons, which is a third less than the previous year, Tyurina reported.

According to data provided by "Agroinvestor", in June, wheat was exported by 45 exporting companies, compared to 74 such companies in the previous season. Grain and legume shipments went through 40 ports, compared to 48 ports the previous year. The largest port remains Novorossiysk, where shipments increased by 22.8% to 1.9 million tons. Transshipment in roadsteads decreased by 23.2% to just over 1 million tons. Significant reductions in transshipment were noted through the ports of Rostov-on-Don - by 35% to 403.5 thousand tons, and Azov - by 70% to 215.7 thousand tons. Transshipment through Astrakhan decreased by 12% to 195 thousand tons, while shipments through the new port Vysotsk increased 3.8 times to 116 thousand tons, Tyurina noted.

Commenting on the price situation in the market, she noted that prices indicate high competition. The price of French wheat decreased by $2 to $237 per ton, American wheat by $5 to $224, and Russian (FOB Novorossiysk) by $1 to $236 per ton. According to Tyurina, the discount compared to European wheat remains minimal at $1 per ton. Low prices for Romanian, Bulgarian, and Ukrainian grain negatively affect the global market. In addition, demand from major exporters, such as Egypt, is also increasing. The arrival of the new crop may lead to further price reductions, which is a typical phenomenon at this time of year, Tyurina added.

She also noted that wheat producers' prices decreased by an average of 200 rubles per ton in the South, 280 rubles in the Center, and 100 rubles in the Volga region. The average price of wheat (4th class, excluding VAT) was 13.3-13.4 thousand rubles per ton. Compared to the beginning of the previous season, prices increased by 21.8%, reaching 14.7 thousand rubles per ton (including VAT). The situation is stabilizing, and prices are rising in anticipation of a reduction in the crop, concluded the expert.