Estimates of winterkill in Russia are 15-20 %, which looks low in comparison with the Ukraine. Total grain crop estimates range from 70 to 75 Mill. tons versus 86,5 last year. Exports for the crop year 2002/2003 are estimated at 10,7 Mill. tons by the IGC, incl. 3 Mill. tons of barley. Moscow claims that export volumes of crop 2003 will be maintained fully at last year’s level. Imports of malting barley July-January 2002/2003 dropped to 63.000 tons from 100.000 tons a year earlier, showing slow, but constant improvements of the Russian malting barley supply.

18 April, 2003