Russia 2011-12 grain export may reach 27.5 million tonnes

Russian grain exports could exceed official estimates by 0.5 million tonnes and reach 27.5 million tonnes in 2011/12, as thawing ice allows shipments from shallow-water ports to resume and sales from state stocks boost market supplies. "During the remaining months from April to June grain exports will amount to not less than 4 million tonnes and are expected to reach around 27.5 million tonnes by the end of the season," SovEcon agricultural analysts said on Friday.
Total export of cereals, including flour and legumes, reached 23.1 million tonnes from July to date, of which wheat accounted 18.2 million tonnes, it added. "Thus, Russia achieved new records of grain and wheat exports three months before the end of the season."
Russia's grain exports could decline to between 1.5 and 1.6 million tonnes in April from 1.8 million in March, due to lower wheat and barley export volumes, but with high maize export levels. Growing shipments from the Azov-Black Sea shallow-water ports, sales from state intervention stocks and growing rail shipments from the eastern regions of Russia will support export levels, SovEcon believes.