Wheat and meslin market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Russian wheat and meslin market expanded from 28.5 million tonnes to 48.8 million tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by consecutive increases in sown areas and grain harvests, which boosted domestic production. Higher export prices in 2019 further encouraged output, while a temporary reduction in exports that year contributed to greater domestic availability.

Starting in June 2021, the introduction of floating export duties (the grain damper) aimed to stabilize the local market by taxing wheat shipments abroad. This policy, followed by export quotas and a temporary ban in early 2022, significantly curtailed overseas sales. These restrictions, combined with a record harvest in 2022, channeled more grain into the domestic market, causing volume to surge to 79.1 million tonnes that year.

Geopolitical tensions and continued export regulations in 2022 coincided with increased domestic feed use of wheat, absorbing part of the supply. In 2023, however, a 10.9% decline in the wheat harvest reduced production, while exports recovered due to demand from markets like China. This pulled the market volume down to 60.9 million tonnes in 2023.

Production wheat and meslin in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Russia ranked as the third-largest producer of wheat and meslin from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Russia's wheat and meslin production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 85 896 thousand tons, marking a strong 15.4% increase from 2019. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 72 136 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 16.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wheat and meslin production in Russia continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 18 249 million US dollars, reflecting a 22.0% year-over-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 21.1%, averaging a 6.6% annual growth rate. The lowest value occurred in 2018, at 13 836 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Russia exported 37 270 thousand tons of wheat and meslin, a substantial 16.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.7%, with an average annual rate of 4.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019, at 31 873 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018, at 43 966 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 27.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 33.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia's export structure for wheat and meslin in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Egypt accounted for 21.8% of exports, Turkey for 16.0%, and Bangladesh for 5.7%, together making up 43.4% of total flows. Many other countries contributed the remaining 56.6%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Russia exported 7 918 million US dollars worth of wheat and meslin, a 23.7% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 36.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 8 432 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 24.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 45.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Turkey, and Bangladesh were the top buyers of Russian wheat and meslin in value terms, with shares of 22.4%, 15.9%, and 5.7%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 44.0% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat and meslin to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Wheat and meslin imports into Russia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 190 thousand tons, down 0.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.9%, averaging an 11.2% annual decline. The highest import volume was in 2018, at 344 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 44.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 27.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan dominated Russia's wheat and meslin imports in kind, holding 73.5% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Russia's wheat and meslin imports amounted to 65 million US dollars, showing a sharp 33.4% improvement from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 62.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 19.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 51.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan was the key supplier of wheat and meslin to Russia, accounting for 83.6% of total imports in value terms. A diverse group of other countries made up the rest.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2017-2020