Russia: Barley exports in the first month of season 2018/19 lower than last year

Russia exported 638.4 thousand tonnes of barley in the first month of the new 2018/19 season, or 4.5% less than in July 2017, UkrAgroConsult reported on September 19.

As Russian wheat exports in July 2018 (3.8 mln tonnes) were almost six times as high as those of barley, it can be supposed that Russian grain exporters focused specifically on wheat at the beginning of the new season. Consequently, other grains took a back seat.

Nonetheless, it is worth noting a boost in supplies of Russian barley to its traditional and biggest buyer. So, Saudi Arabia imported 337.9 thousand tonnes of grain in the reporting month, or 39.3% more than in July 2017/18.

The second biggest importer of Russian barley – Iran – purchased 104.4 thousand tonnes in July 2018/19. During the month under review, Saudi Arabia and Iran absorbed a combined almost 70% of total barley exports from Russia.

20 September, 2018