IKAR in Mass and Industry Media

Russia and Kazakhstan face more wheat quality problems

Reuters

MOSCOW/ASTANA, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Concerns are growing in Russia and Kazakhstan over a shortage of high quality wheat - already a major issue for Russia this season - that could undermine their plans to increase exports, traders and analysts said.

Both countries, which together with Ukraine are the three main wheat exporters of the Black Sea region, are boosting their 2013 wheat harvest this year after last year's drought, but the wheat is lower in quality than last year due to rain.

"There are endless problems with the quality of Russia's wheat, which have emerged during the harvest," Russia's Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR) said.

A lack of high quality milling wheat makes it harder for Russian exporters to negotiate with farmers who are holding back such grain - classified as third-class - in anticipation of further price growth.

13.09.13

All viewing: 98
Discuss