A letter to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed by Arkady Zlochevsky, President of the Russian Grain Union (RGU), contains arguments that cast doubt on the effectiveness of previous duties on wheat exports. No data on the results of this anti-crisis measure were provided, the letter says.

According to the forecast of RZS, this year Russia will harvest about 112 million tons of grain, of which 65 million tons will fall on wheat. It is expected that in this case the surplus harvest may reach 38-40m tonnes.

As purchases from the intervention fund are limited, the collapse of grain prices can be prevented only by large-scale export deliveries. Due to the duty last season the industry lost 40 billion rubles, which reduces the investment attractiveness and enhances the competitive advantages of other grain exporting countries.

As a solution, it is proposed to advance grain production through long-term supply contracts, including the Moscow Exchange.

Earlier the head of the Ministry of Agriculture Alexander Tkachev made a statement that he sees no reason to revise the duty.

Export duty on wheat was introduced from February 1, 2015 in order to stabilize the situation in the domestic grain market. From October 1, 2015 the duty is 50% of the customs value minus Rb 6.5 thousand per ton, but not less than Rb 10 per ton.