Russia to introduce duty on wheat exports

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  Russia is set to introduce a duty on wheat imports, beginning February 1.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Russia says it will introduce a duty on wheat exports beginning February 1, in addition to other restrictions it has imposed in an effort to combat rising domestic grain prices.
  Last week, the Russian government imposed informal export rules including tougher quality monitoring and slashed railway loading programs.
  The government announced that the duty on wheat exports will be 15 percent of the customs price, plus EUR7.5 (US$9.13) and would be no less than EUR35 (US$42.62) per ton from February 1 until June 30, 2015.
  Russian Railways, a state-controlled firm, called off controls on grain railway loading, but planned to raise tariffs for supplies by 13.4 percent from January 24.
  “Shallow-water ports are still blocked by informal restrictions and it would be impossible to export all volumes until February, so exporters will bear large losses," a trader told Reuters.
  The duty on wheat is meant to help lower domestic wheat prices by 15 percent so the government can replenish its grain supply. Some analysts say they expect exports to be small in January to due to informal export curbs which are still in place.
  "One of the key unknowns is whether the government will keep artificial administrative barriers or lift them starting from February 1," said Dmitry Rylko, the head of IKAR consultancy. 

Russia considers opening poultry trade with Thailand

Russia is considering granting poultry plants from Thailand clearance to export their products into Russia. The consideration follows a decision by Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian federal service for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, to allow two pork plants in Thailand to export to the country.
Rosselkhoznadzor recently held talks in Moscow with Thai officials to discuss further trade opportunities. It was determined that at a later date some poultry plants, as well as some fish and seafood plants, could become eligible for trade with Russia. Thai negotiators also stated that it could establish an office of Thai competent authorities in Moscow with the aim of immediate solutions of problems relevant to the provision of the safety of products imported into the Russian territory.
Russia has been looking for additional trade partners since the country’s government implemented trade bans concerning agricultural products from many of the world’s leading markets. On August 6, following a decree from President Vladimir Putin, Russia implemented a ban of pork, poultry and other food products from the United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union and Norway.
The Thai pork plants given clearance were Bangkla Pig Slaughter House and Betagro Safety Meat Packing. Under the agreement, an expert from Rosselkhoznadzor that has been assigned to Thailand will control production and shipment of pork products intended for the Russian market. The assigned expert will oversee the processes for the purpose of provision of additional safety guarantees.

Russia explores importing more Argentina agriculture products

Amid its ban on food products from the U.S., the EU, Canada, Australia and Norway, Russia is holding talks with officials from Argentina about the possibility of expanding agriculture trade between the two nations. The talks were initiated by Argentina, but welcomed by Russia.
Sergey Dankvert, head of the Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian federal service for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, and Pablo Anselmo Tettamanti, Argintine Ambassador to Russia, have already spoken on the telephone and have arranged for a Argentinian trade delegation to visit Russia. The delegation will consist of the Argentinian minister of agriculture, minister of industry of Argentina, and the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Argentina and co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Russian-Argentinian Commission. The visit will be devoted to discussing issues related to cooperation between the two countries in a range of activities, including export-import operations.
The Argentinian leaders have suggested holding a preliminary meeting of co-chairmen of the Intergovernmental Commission as soon as possible to discuss current issues related to increasing the export of products from Argentina to Russia, according to the Rosselkhoznadzor website. Dankvert was open to the suggestion.
 The meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Argentinian Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation itself is planned to be held in Moscow in the middle of September.

US grants permanent normal trade relations to Russia

President Barack Obama has granted permanent normal trade relations to Russia, on the heels of the U.S. Congress passing the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012, which rescinds legislation that has been called a roadblock to the U.S. taking full advantage of Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization.
The American Feed Industry Association was part of the Coalition for U.S.-Russian Trade, and supports the action by both houses of Congress and the President.
The World Trade Organization requires its members to extend immediate and unconditional non-discriminatory treatment to the goods and services of all other members. Without permanent normal trade relations, U.S. exporters would only receive minimal benefits from Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization. By granting Russia permanent normal trade relations, U.S. exporters will have access to the Russian market on the same terms as foreign competitors. 

US poultry groups support permanent normal trade relations with Russia

The National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council have said they support the introduction of a U.S. Senate bill that will establish permanent normal trade relations with Russia by repealing the 1974 Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
Members of the World Trade Organization formally approved in late 2011 Russia’s terms for membership in the organization. But for U.S. companies to benefit from Russia’s accession, it will be necessary for the U.S. Congress to permanently remove Russia from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 and authorize the president to extend permanent normal trade relations to Russia. Russia is currently the third-largest export market for U.S. broiler meat and is the tenth-largest export market for U.S. turkey.
“Continuing to export $300 million of poultry to Russia annually will provide better incomes for more U.S. workers and additional poultry to be produced by a growing number of family farmers across America,” said the poultry groups in a statement. “The Senate will not be voting on Russia’s WTO accession; rather, it will be voting on giving the U.S. equal accession to general tariff reductions, market opening measures and the ability of U.S. interests, such as poultry, to seek trade relief, if necessary, through the WTO.
“The U.S. poultry industry encourages swift action on this legislation to establish [permanent normal trade relations] before Russia joins the WTO,” said the groups. “This gives the U.S. the best chance of enjoying the full economic benefits that comes with Russia’s WTO membership.”

Russia’s pig, poultry production booming

Russia's pig and poultry production sectors are booming, according to Russian agricultural sources, in contrast to current difficulties in the beef sector.
The country's Agriculture Minister, Yelena Skrynnik, said at a recent livestock sector meeting in Lipetsk, that Russian pig production and poultry production in the first nine months of this year were respectively 10% and 13% higher than the same period in 2008. One result of this rising production is an increase in the demand for feed. Conversely, beef production in the January to September period was 2.6% lower year-on-year.
Russia is seeking to increase its domestic meat production to reduce imports, which the Agriculture Ministry forecasts will fall to 25% of the total Russian meat market by the end of this year.