March 31, 2009
Russia government could block grain trade access to port
Russia's plans for a state-owned grain trading company could make life difficult for existing international exporters by blocking access to some ports and other logistics, said Nikolay Demyanov, deputy general director at Glencore International SA's Russian arm, International Grain Company.
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Grain Trade Conference, Demyanov said the Russian government's United Grain Company has a share in Russia's largest port, Novorossiisk, situated on the Black Sea and used by international grain trade houses exporting Russian wheat.
"There is a risk we won't be able to use the port," said Demyanov. "The government has a monopoly for grain certification...and owns the pools of rail cars, which may be other advantages this company could utilize."
