Egypt's purchase of large amounts of Russian wheat pushed the forecast back to up to its original level. The increased wheat export prices of up to 190 – 193 USD/ton FOB boosted the growth.

The forecast was lowered to 2.5 – 2.6 mln tons earlier down from 3.0 mln tons.

March wheat export is estimated at 2.3 mln tons versus 1.7 mln tons in March 2016 and 1.4 mln tons in February 2017.

Grain export from Russia was 1.85 mln tons in February versus 2.75 mln tons in February 2016. Egypt was the main buyer with a 28.2% share of the total grain export. India's share was 8%, Lebanon's share was 7% while Turkey contributed with 6%.

1.665 mln tons of grain will be shipped to Egypt between the beginning of March and the beginning of April including 1.185 mln tons of Russian wheat (71%).

In comparisson, Egypt bought 900,000 tons of wheat in March and April 2016 including 180,000 tons from Russia.

Grain export from Russia may reach 2.6 – 2.8 mln tons in April versus 2.28 mln tons in April 2016 including 2.1 – 2.3 mln tons (1.42) of wheat.

According to Rosstat's latest report, grain yield in Russia was 120.672 mln tons in 2016 compared with the previous estimate of 119.129 mln tons.