Russia may export up to 52 mln tonnes of grain in 2018 agricultural season — expert

Russia may export up to 52 mln tonnes of grain in the 2018 agricultural season, including up to 40 mln tonnes of wheat which is a record figure, chief executive of the Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR) Dmitry Rylko told reporters during a conference call.

"There is a possibility that the volume of wheat exports, taking into account the illegal exports to Kazakhstan, that took place this year (up to half a million tonnes ) will total 40 million tonnes. This is, of course, a colossal record. Last year, for the first time in history we exported 27 mln tonnes (of wheat) and it seemed to be a record. This year wheat exports may reach 40 mln tonnes. As for all cereals, according to our estimates, exports may amount to 51-52 mln tonnes," Rylko said.

In late March, Russia’s Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev said his ministry forecasts grain exports in 2017-2018 agricultural year at of 52-53 mln tonnes.

Earlier, the Agriculture Ministry forecasted, export of grain in the amount of 45-47 mln tonnes. However, on March 16, 2018, Anatoly Kutsenko, head of the Department of Economics, Investments and Regulation of the Agro-Industrial Market at the Agriculture Ministry, said that Russia's export potential is 50-52 million tonnes. At the same time, the export of wheat will reach 36-37 million tonnes.