Russia's Grain Export Crisis Hits New Low Amid Giraffe Import Plans

Russia's grain export problems are continuing to deepen, with shipments falling sharply in September. According to the Russian Grain Union, Russia shipped only 418 thousand tons of grain from September 1 to 10, which is 5.9 times less than during the same period last year. Wheat exports plummeted 6.5-fold to 294 thousand tons, while barley shipments fell 7.3-fold to 43 thousand tons.

The number of countries importing Russian wheat has dropped to eight from 25 a year earlier, and weak demand is putting pressure on the domestic market. Producer wheat prices have fallen to around $104 per ton, the lowest level in ten years.

Despite these figures, Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut insists that there are no problems with grain exports. She claims that Russia is developing alternative routes through the Baltic, the Caspian Sea, and the Far East, while also discussing with China the possibility of transiting grain through its territory to Southeast Asian markets.

In a bizarre move, Russia's Agriculture Ministry has been working for a second year on resuming giraffe imports from South Africa. Lut says that the ministry is seeking a way to arrange quarantine procedures and deliver the animals to Russian zoos. Imports of giraffes and other animals have been restricted since 2012 due to foot-and-mouth disease, with finding a suitable quarantine facility being the main obstacle.