03/05/2023

On the 18th week, freight rates in the Azov-Black Sea region declined sharply, falling to $37 for a shipment of 3,000 tons of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports. Thus, the rate dropped by more than $10 compared to the level of the beginning of the previous week. At the moment, there are practically any new sales contracts not only to Turkey, where a 130 percent tax on grain imports has been introduced since May 1, but also to other destinations. At the same time, it is worth noting that many charterers intend to conclude sale contracts even in such an unfavorable conjuncture in order to have time to use the quota issued to them.
It should be noted that the export fee on the export of all three main grain cargoes dropped this week, the tax on the export of wheat from 4 to 11 May inclusive will decrease to 5573.2 rubles per ton, for the export of barley — to 2195.4 rubles, corn — up to 3000 rubles per ton. At the same time, it should be remembered that the grain deal with Ukraine, which is valid till May 18, also affects the sales of Russian grain. According to media reports, another round of negotiations is due to take place in Turkey this week, as a result of which it may become clear whether the deal will be prolonged.