The Russian government has unveiled a trade policy shift targeting shelled pine nuts, signaling a deliberate move to boost domestic processing and heighten value capture within national borders. The announcement, conveyed through a formal statement from the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, frames the measure as a catalyst for local growers and processors to upgrade facilities, expand in-country processing, and secure higher value from the harvest. This approach fits a broader governmental pattern seen across multiple sectors: strengthening domestic capacity, shortening supply chains, and maintaining orderly export flows by building capacity at home while responsibly serving international demand.
Starting August 1, 2024, an export duty will be imposed on shelled pine nuts at a rate of 25 percent, accompanied by a floor of €80 per tonne to guarantee a minimum fiscal impact amid price volatility. The policy anticipates a staged intensification, with the duty climbing to 50 percent within twelve months and maintaining a floor of €160 per tonne. The gradual ramp is designed to give the industry time to expand processing capabilities so that incremental volume can be processed domestically without undermining supply to global buyers. Official communications describe the policy as a lever to spur investment in processing infrastructure, including storage capacity, drying operations, and refining facilities, with the aim of delivering a higher share of value domestically and potentially improving product quality for both local markets and international customers.
Senior ministry official Liliya Shchur-Trukhanovich, who oversees the department responsible for the development and regulation of foreign economic activity, explains that the incremental duty increases are meant to provide enterprises with a predictable planning horizon. The objective is to align tax policy with the timelines for upgrading and expanding processing lines, hiring skilled workers, and adopting modern technologies that raise yield, enhance product quality, and ensure compliance with international standards. This measured transition is framed as a balance between the interests of farmers and processors and the long term goal of strengthening Russia’s position in the global pine nut market. In recent remarks, the ministry noted that the policy sits within a broader framework aimed at stabilizing prices and securing a reliable domestic supply chain, even as export markets remain important and dynamic. The ministry also emphasized that the forthcoming adjustments are designed to curb sharp price spikes while supporting investment across the value chain, from harvest through packaging and labeling to customer-facing documentation and certifications.