В России отменят запрет на экспорт рапса

The subcommittee responsible for customs and tariff regulation, as well as non-tariff measures in foreign trade, has decided to introduce an export duty on rapeseed. The duty will amount to 30% of the value or no less than 165 euros per ton. This measure will come into effect on September 1, 2024, and will be valid until August 31, 2026. Thus, the duty will replace the existing temporary ban on rapeseed exports. Additionally, the subcommittee has extended the export customs duty on sunflower seeds and soybeans until August 31, 2026. The duty on sunflower seeds will be 50% of the value or no less than 32,000 rubles per ton, and on soybeans - 20% of the value or no less than 100 dollars per ton. According to the Ministry of Economic Development, these measures are based on discussions with entrepreneurs and are aimed at ensuring the stability of the domestic market and containing price increases for consumers.

Currently, there is a ban on rapeseed exports that was introduced in 2022, but it does not apply to the Zabaikalsky Krai checkpoint. The validity period of this restriction expires on August 31, 2024. Also, since September 1, 2021, "floating" export duties on sunflower oil and meal have been introduced. Initially, they were calculated in dollars, and since July 2022 - in rubles. The duty on sunflower oil is 70% of the difference between the base and indicative prices. The export duty on sunflower meal is calculated using a formula that includes the difference between indicative and base prices multiplied by a correction factor.

The head of the Fat-and-Oil Union, Mikhail Maltsev, believes that replacing the rapeseed export ban with a duty contributes to unifying protective measures that encourage processing oilseeds within the country. He notes that the previous rapeseed export regime, which, except for the Zabaikalsky Krai, allowed rapeseed exports from different regions, led to an increase in its exports and a decrease in processing volumes within the country. In his opinion, the current 30% duty given the current market conditions will help protect the domestic market from massive product exports.

The director general of the Agricultural Market Conjecture Institute, Dmitry Ryalko, points out that replacing the export ban with a duty actually tightens the export regime. According to the rules in effect until August 31, 2024, exports are only allowed to EAEU countries and through Zabaikalsk with a duty of 6.5%. The previous season showed that around 350-400 thousand tons of rapeseed were shipped through this channel. It is expected that in the new season in Siberia, there will be a harvest, and due to the lack of processing capacities in the region, more rapeseed will be required for export with a high duty. This is a good option for domestic processors, but it presents certain problems for rapeseed producers. Ryalko also notes that Russia has enough capacities for rapeseed processing, but in the leading region for its production - Siberia, they are currently insufficient.

Independent grain market expert Alexander Korbut believes that a duty of 165 euros is effectively an export ban. Now, rapeseed exports are only possible to EAEU countries, but it would be reasonable to lift the duty for friendly countries. However, this could create an unfavorable situation for oilseed processors who are in competition with each other in the domestic market. As a result of this competition, prices for agricultural producers decrease. Korbut also believes that rapeseed export volumes may decrease due to the imposition of a duty, although they were not substantial to begin with. In addition, farmers will incur costs for transporting rapeseed from Siberia to other regions for processing.

According to analyst Lilia Varygina, over the first seven months of this year, the volume of rapeseed oilseed exports amounted to 394 thousand tons, which is a third less than in the same period in 2023. Most of this volume was sent to Belarus (261 thousand tons) and China (127 thousand tons). Varygina notes that China is the main purchaser of Russian rapeseed, acquiring over 85% of the exported oil. This year, the volume of rapeseed oil exports totaled 623 thousand tons, a 36% decrease from the previous year. The amount of exported rapeseed meal was 234 thousand tons, half the volume of the same period in 2023. The main buyers are France (62 thousand tons) and again China (66 thousand tons).

In Varygina's opinion, a 30% duty on rapeseed after a temporary export ban helps control the export volume, including a significant flow of rapeseed through Zabaikalsk. Revenues from duties will be used to subsidize agricultural producers and protect the domestic market for processing oilseed crops.

This year, the area under rapeseed cultivation has increased by almost a third (29.3%) to reach 2.73 million hectares. It is expected that a record rapeseed harvest will be set, reaching up to 5 million tons. The industry is also constantly expanding capacities for rapeseed processing, which will be increased by several million tons in the coming years.