June 11, 2009

Russia plans to increase grain exports to 40-50 million tonnes a year in the next 10-15 years, rising the country's share of the global grain market to 20 percent, according to Agriculture Minister Elena Skrynnik.

Skrynnik noted that established grain exporting countries have lost global market share in recent years. The US has seen its wheat market share fell from 28 percent in 2000 to 20 percent in 2009; Canada from 17 percent to 14 percent and Australia from 16 percent to 13 percent. Only the EU has maintained its market share at around 15 percent.

The reasons for these changes include the aggressive export policies of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, said Skrynnik.

Russia harvested 108 million tonnes of grain in 2008, and is currently one of the world's top three exporters of barley and wheat with its market share reaching 14 percent.

In the current marketing year (Jul 2008-Jun 2009), Russia plans to export over 20 million tonnes of grain.