Thanks to low prices, russia has increased grain supplies to EU 2.3 times since July 1

russia shipped 2.23 million tons of grain and leguminous crops to EU countries from the beginning of the current agricultural year (from July 1, 2023) to December 1, which is 2.3 times more than for the same period last year (968 thousand tons), according to the monitoring of the Russian Grain Union.

According to Elena Tyurina, director of the analytical department of the Union, the main volumes were supplied to five countries. The leader in purchases was Spain, which accounted for 40%. Shipments to this country increased 8.8 times and amounted to 850 thousand tons against 96 thousand tons for the same period last season. Italy accounted for 35% – 812 thousand tons vs. 105 thousand tons respectively (7.7 times growth). Top 3 is Belgium with the share of 17% – 198 thousand tons vs. 52 thousand tons (3.7 times growth).

In fourth place is Greece, which increased purchases 1.9 times, up to 160 thousand tons against 85 thousand tons. Latvia follows. But shipments to this country fell to 105 thousand tons from 410 thousand tons a year earlier.

As Tyurina specified, in supplies of grain and leguminous crops to Spain the main volumes were peas – 571 thousand tons, which is 34 times more than a year ago (16.5 thousand tons). Exports of wheat increased 25 times, up to 76 thousand tons against 3 thousand tons last season. Spain also bought barley, durum wheat and rye.

Italy became the largest buyer of Russian durum wheat during this period – 583 thousand tons against 24 thousand tons a year earlier. Soft wheat shipments grew 4.6 times, to 61,000 tons from 13,200 tons, respectively. In shipments to Belgium, the main place was occupied by flax seeds, shipments of which increased 3.8 times, up to 185 thousand tons against 49 thousand tons last season. Soft wheat was shipped 6.3 thousand tons.

Greece increased purchases of wheat almost 1.6 times, up to 108 thousand tons, corn – twice, up to 26.2 thousand tons. Wheat shipments to Latvia fell to 64.6 thousand tons from 325 thousand tons last season, peas – to 15 thousand tons from 56 thousand tons respectively.

According to Tyurina, the main reason for this increase in shipments to the European market is that Russian grain and leguminous crops were offered at a lower price. “For the period from July 1 to December 1, the discount in the price of Russian wheat against European wheat amounted to $14 per ton,” she said.

Tags: Russia, export, grain, EU