Russia imposes a temporary export ban on rice and rice grains for 2023, with selective exemptions
The government extended the prohibition on exporting rice and rice grains from the Russian Federation through 30 June 2023, as stated in a decree published on the official portal of legal information.
The document specifies that a temporary export ban on rice and rice grains from the Russian Federation will be in effect from January 1 to June 30, 2023.
Notably, the temporary ban does not apply to rice exported from Russia to member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU); shipments sent as part of humanitarian aid to foreign countries; rice exported under international government agreements; international transit traffic; or rice designated as goods to support the activities of Russian military formations. Exemptions also include rice destined for Russian Federation establishments in Svalbard that is to be exported to Baikonur, as well as supplies to the Republic of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Previously, on 30 June 2022, the Council of Ministers established a regime of export quotas for a range of agricultural products from Russia. These measures were designed to safeguard the nation’s food security, stabilize domestic prices for key commodities, and sustain the livestock and processing sectors.
There is also a reference to quotas allocated to agricultural products from the newly integrated Russian regions, a policy measure tied to broader efforts to manage supply chains and support domestic producers during periods of market constraint.
Context for these actions lies in a history of government interventions aimed at balancing export opportunities with the need to preserve domestic food resilience, particularly in times of volatility in global grain markets and fluctuations in domestic supply and demand. Public authorities have repeatedly justified such steps as tools to maintain price stability, ensure food access for citizens, and protect critical domestic industries from external shocks.
As events evolved, authorities emphasized that the export controls were temporary and subject to revision based on market conditions, domestic needs, and international obligations. Observers note that while such measures can help prevent price spikes and shortages, they may also influence global trade patterns and international relations with buyers seeking reliable supply from Russia.
Overall, the regime reflected a deliberate approach to managing agricultural exports within a broader framework of national economic policy, where food security, price stability, and industry support are balanced against external demand and regional trade dynamics. The focus remained on ensuring a stable domestic food supply while maintaining prudent export capacity under defined quotas and exemptions. Reports and official statements continued to monitor implementation, adjustments, and the effects of these measures on farmers, processors, and consumers across Russia and partner regions. [citation attribution]