LONDON: Despite the 36% reduction of rye production in Russia in 2015, exports of this crop are growing. During the first half of the current season Russia exported about 47.7 KMT of rye that was 25% higher than during the same period of the previous marketing year – 38.1 KMT.
As well as in Ukraine, domestic consumption of rye in Russia has declined over the last years. This trend triggered both reduction of planted area and increase of exports.
EU countries are the main importers of Russian rye, among which Latvia accounts for more than half of the total exports. Israel with a share of 18% (21 KMT) last season, has not purchase Russian rye in the current season, as well as Turkey. At the same time EU countries increased Russian rye imports by more than 150% during the reporting period – to 47.6 KMT compared to 17.2 KMT compared to the same period of season 2014/15.