On the 51st week freight rates in the Azov-Black Sea region continue to decline. Thus, the cost of a 3000 mts shipment of deadweight cargo from Azov to Marmara Sea ports is USD 23-24 per ton. Traders note low buyer activity, a lack of demand for grain, and a decrease in the number of sales contracts. In the past week, there has been a lack of spot tonnage on the market due to adverse weather conditions in the Kerch Strait, causing delays in the passage of vessels into the Azov Sea. Most of the fleet on the market will be available in the first days of January.
The wheat export duty from Russia will decrease this week for the first time since early September. Starting December 18, it will be reduced by 15%, to 4,136.5 rubles per ton. The barley export duty will decrease to 2,185.3 rubles per ton, while the corn duty will drop to 4,393.3 rubles per ton.