The Russian government has set new deduction rates for grain taxes effective from 1 June 2023. According to the official decision published on the legal information portal, the export duty on wheat from the start of the summer season is set at 17 thousand rubles per unit, while the duties on barley and corn are around 15,875 rubles each. This marks a shift in the tax framework governing grain exports and the amounts that exporters must account for when shipping these crops abroad.
Since June 2021, the grain exporter regime has employed a flexible export tax on wheat, corn, and barley within the Russian domestic agricultural market. In July 2022, the calculation method for these taxes transitioned to rubles, making the figures easier to compute in national currency for domestic producers and traders. Over time, the regime has evolved to respond to market conditions and policy goals related to the agricultural sector and foreign trade.
As of the current period, export duties stand at 15 thousand rubles for wheat and approximately 13,875 rubles for barley and corn. Beginning in the summer of the current year, these indicators are set to rise by an additional 2 thousand rubles. The updated rates apply to the export of agricultural products from Russia with the exception of states that participate in the Customs Union agreements, which are governed by separate provisions. This adjustment reflects ongoing policy adjustments aimed at balancing domestic supply, agricultural support, and international trade considerations.
In parallel developments, on 25 May, UNCTAD highlighted a collaborative effort with the African Export-Import Bank to streamline grain and fertilizer exports from Russia to Africa. The initiative involves establishing a platform to facilitate trade flows and reduce barriers for sales of essential agricultural inputs to African markets. UNCTAD noted ongoing coordination with Afreximbank to assist smaller African economies in managing trade disruptions and sustaining their food security and fertilizer access. These efforts illustrate how international institutions are seeking to diversify and stabilize grain and input supplies amid global supply chain challenges.