“Kommersant” warned of an increase in rice prices up to 30% due to crop failure

Producers of rice groats have notified retail chains of a price increase of up to 30% due to problems with the harvest. About it informed “Kommersant” with reference to sources among suppliers.

It is clarified that the reason was the unfavorable conditions in the Krasnodar Territory, where the bulk of rice is grown. The fact is that in April 2022, an accident occurred at the Fedorovsky hydroelectric complex, as a result of which the dam collapsed and the water supply to the sown areas was disrupted. The National Rice Union estimates that the paddy area has decreased from 119,000 to 92,000 hectares, while the gross rice harvest has decreased by 24% to 650,000 tons.

Lenta confirmed a price increase of 15-30% depending on the manufacturer. According to another source, prices will rise from March 27, and the increase itself will be 8-19%. Another interlocutor of the publication said that rice prices will increase by at least 10%. According to Rosstat, in February last year, the average retail price of rice was 108.8 rubles. for 1 kg.

As the executive director of the National Rice Union Mikhail Radchenko noted, now there is enough rice in Russia due to the ban on the export of products, and there are no prerequisites for an increase in wholesale prices. However, the quality of rice could have declined due to the late harvest, which may affect the production of cereals, Radchenko added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that the quality of rice and the volume of last year’s harvest fully meet the needs of Russian processors. The department ruled out the prerequisites for rising prices for raw materials and cereals.