March 5, 2013

Russia, the world's third-biggest wheat exporter last season, plans to export more grain to Asia by partnering Kazakhstan, according to Andrey Slepnev, the Eurasian Economic Commission's trade minister.

There are no custom borders between the two countries, an arrangement which is overseen by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which also includes Belarus. Russia and Kazakhstan are also creating common railway tariffs and plan to mesh other transportation industries to expand grain export opportunities, Slepnev said.

"We are interested in multiplying our efforts to push our grain products to the world market," he said, adding they are particularly interested in Asia.

Russia and Kazakhstan are ranked among the world's top six wheat exporters by the USDA. The two countries' combined wheat exports are expected to be 17 million tonnes in the year ending on June 30, based on USDA estimates.

The largest wheat shipper in 2012-13 is expected to be the US, with an estimated 28.6 million tonnes, according to the USDA. The EU and Canada, each with 18.5 million tonnes, come next in the ranking, followed by Australia with 16.5 million tonnes. Russia and Kazakhstan follow in the rankings and would surpass Australia if their export numbers were combined.