Повышение экспортной пошлины на пшеницу и меслин в России вторую неделю подряд

Starting next Wednesday, April 24, the export customs duty on Russian wheat and meslin (rye mixture) will increase for the second week in a row, the Ministry of Agriculture announced.

Its rate will be 3,443 rubles, which is 166.4 rubles higher than before. It is necessary to note that the values for these types of grain and their mixtures always change in the same way. Presumably, authorities continue to compensate for the previous decrease, which was recorded on April 10. At that time, the rate dropped by 86.7 rubles, from 3,322.8 to 3,236.1. Rates for other crops will again be different. The duty on barley will decrease by 10.9 rubles – from 451.6 to 440.7. However, on April 5, it was 667.9 rubles. This means that it decreased by 226.9 in a week. The less significant decrease can be explained by reaching a "psychological bottom". The export duty on corn will remain zero for the second week in a row. The increase only on wheat may be due to higher demand for it compared to other grains.

Export duties were supposedly intended to support the profitability of agricultural producers and provide them with support when needed. The first point is achieved by changing the rates, and the second – by paying farmers all duties in the form of subsidies in emergency situations. However, farmers are asking to cancel duties on all major grains. They argue that this measure does not solve problems with grain market profitability, and the funds are not returned to them in full. The Ministry of Agriculture so far has taken into account farmers' opinions only regarding corn. However, overall, the ministry considers the mechanism of "floating" duties effective and has no plans to abandon it.

It is worth reminding that duties on Russian grains have been established since June 2, 2021, and amount to 70 percent of the difference between base and indicative prices. The first ones are the minimum acceptable on the market for introducing duties. They take into account several factors, including grain sowing costs, expected harvest, world price for the crop, and currency exchange rates. Earlier, they were 15,000 rubles for wheat and 13,875 for corn and barley. However, on June 7, these were first changed to 17,000 rubles for wheat and 15,875 for corn and barley. These values are determined by the Ministry of Agriculture. The agriculture department expected that this measure would reduce the duty by at least 1,400 rubles per ton through price redistribution. Base prices are always calculated in Russian currency. Starting July 6, duties are also determined in it. This decision was made by the government to ensure transparency of calculations and independence from the U.S. currency. The second group of prices is the average price of export contracts a week before the duty rate revision. It is calculated by the Moscow Exchange, which transmits the data to market participants, who in turn provide information to the Ministry of Agriculture. This time, values will decrease immediately for all crops. The most insignificant decrease will occur for wheat and meslin – from 234 to 233.6 dollars. Barley prices will decrease by $2.4 (from $178.3 to $175.9), and corn – by 2.1 (from 169.3 to 167.2). This continues the trend of last week, when wheat and its mixture decreased from 234.1 to 234, and corn and barley decreased from 173.2 to 169.3 and from 182.2 to 178.3 respectively. Also, it is worth noting that converting indicative prices into ruble equivalent is currently not possible as they depend on international contracts.