November 28, 2006

Tunisia buys 75,000 tonnes of Russian feed barley

Tunisia bought at least three shipments of Russian feed barley, each of which amounted to 25,000 tonnes, in a tender held Nov 24, news agency Prime-Tass reported Monday (Nov 27), citing domestic analyst Sovecon.

"Steep price increases, which have occurred due to expectations of lower supplies from Australia and Ukraine, are prompting increased interest in Russian barley," Sovecon said in a report. Sovecon says that Russia's barley

exports in the 2006/07 marketing year (July-June) might exceed the 2005/06 level of over 1.7 million tonnes.

During the first four months of 2006/07, Russia exported 376,400 tonnes of feed barley, or 53.5 percent less than in July-October of last year, according to official customs statistics.

Russia exports barley mainly to Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa.