On the 52nd week, freight rates in Azov-Black Sea region are maintained at the level of last week. Contracts for a shipment of 3000 tons of wheat from Azov to Marmara Sea ports are concluded at USD 62 per ton. Tense situation in the Red Sea continues to create uncertainty in the freight market as a whole and affects the decline in demand for grain in Turkey. The market is supported by wheat exports, but most charterers do not consider contracts with current freight level. At the same time, shipowners are not rushing to work January dates in advance, hoping for higher grain demand next month. The tax on wheat exports from Russia will drop to 3,859.7 rubles from December 27th against 4,048.1 rubles per ton a week earlier. The exports fee on barley will be zero for the tenth week in a row, while the tax on corn will increase to 1,148.6 rubles per ton.