November 21, 2003

Russia May Lift Import Duties On Corn, Soybean, Fishmeal & Protein Additives

Russia might lift duties on imports of corn, soybeans, fishmeal and protein additives, because the country is facing a shortage of protein-rich feed for livestock.

The Agriculture Ministry is proposing a zero duty on these products, and the government trade and customs tariff policy commission is expected to make a decision at its next meeting, First Deputy Agriculture Minister Sergei Dankvert told Interfax.

At its October 22 meeting, the commission decided that the zero duty on soy cake should be permanent rather than effective for a limited period, Dankvert said.

Russia is not able to produce sufficient protein feed, and substituting food grain or barley would mean losing the effectiveness of agricultural production, he said.