Russia temporarily halts durum wheat exports to boost food security

RUSSIA- Russia has implemented a temporary ban on the export of hard wheat until May 31, 2024, to bolster food security and stabilize the price of durum wheat goods within its borders, according to an order signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The order added that the ban would help the country guarantee a secure supply of durum wheat for its pasta manufacturers.

As the world’s leading wheat exporter, Russia’s decision to restrict the export of durum wheat, a variety with limited production and supplies in the country, aims to address challenges in the global hard wheat market. 

The move comes as a response to reports highlighting a 20-year low in worldwide hard wheat harvests across major producing nations, leading to increased demand for these products.

The Russian Agriculture Ministry proposed this measure last month, emphasizing the need to manage the impact of reduced global hard wheat supplies. 

The ban is expected to provide stability to the domestic durum wheat market and ensure adequate availability for Russian consumers.

The order signed by Prime Minister Mishustin includes certain exemptions from the ban to accommodate essential needs. 

Exempted categories include hard wheat exports for international humanitarian aid and shipments under international intergovernmental agreements. 

Additionally, the ban allows for grain shipments to Abkhazia and South Ossetia and permits the export of grain as provisions.

The temporary embargo reflects Russia’s commitment to addressing challenges in the agricultural sector and ensuring the availability of essential commodities for its citizens. 

Russia also has intentions to grow its hard wheat crop regions and boost production each year, the ministry said.

According to Interfax, The Russian Grain Union found that exports of hard wheat had grown 13 times between 1 July and November 10, 2023, to 657,000 tonnes, with most of this wheat going to countries such as Italy and Turkey.

The jump in exports is believed to be a consequence of a grain damper policy introduced by Russia in 2021 that applies floating export duty to wheat, corn, and barley. This has reduced the size of the share of the duty in hard wheat prices, it said.

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