Russia has introduced import quotas for a number of seeds from unfriendly countries – Kommersant

The government introduced quotas for the import of certain types of seeds from unfriendly countries in the amount of 33.1 thousand tons. The restrictions are in effect until the end of 2024, the statement says. press release government.

Quotas are set for seeds of potatoes, wheat, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, sunflowers and sugar beets. The total quotas were calculated by the Ministry of Agriculture, “based on the needs of Russian seed growers, taking into account the balance of domestic production, import and export of seeds,” the government added.

In the application (.pdf) the resolution clarifies that zero quotas apply to the seeds of several agricultural crops – wheat and meslin, rye, barley (with the exception of malting barley), soybeans and corn (with the exception of seeds with a ripeness index of more than 300, including waxy).

The permitted volume of import of potato seeds is set at 16 thousand tons, malting barley – 0.6 thousand tons, corn seeds with FAO more than 300 (excluding waxy) – 4.4 thousand tons, waxy – 0.6 thousand tons . The quota for the import of hybrid rapeseed and sugar beet seeds is 2 thousand tons each, hybrid sunflower seeds – 7 thousand tons, high-oleic sunflower seeds – 0.5 thousand tons.

Ministry of Agriculture in December 2023 offered introduce quotas on the import of certain seeds. The initiative was announced after the government approved rules for localizing seed production in Russia in May. Thus, foreign manufacturers were obliged to enter into joint ventures with local organizations with a non-resident share of no more than 49%.

Read more about the rules in the Kommersant article. “Europeans are holding back the seeds”.

Laura Keffer