TIRANA, Jan. 21 – Higher taxes imposed by the Russian government on wheat exports starting February 2015 are expected to have a negative impact on Albania which secures around 80 percent of its wheat needs from Russia.
In an effort to reduce the increased export and balance the supply due to increased prices in global markets against the decreased value of ruble, the Russian government has decided the duty on wheat exports will amount to 15 percent of the customs price plus 7.5 euros and will be no less than 35 euros ($43) per tonne from Feb. 1 until June 30, 2015.
“The increase in the customs duty on Russian wheat exports by 30 percent will put the Albanian grain industry into difficulty as Russia is the key supplier. Finding other resources of wheat supply will be difficult,” says Adi Haxhiymeri, the owner of Bloja flour mill in Tirana as quoted by local media.
Data show Albania imports around 50 percent of its wheat needs from Russian and another 30 percent from Serbia which is also dependent on Russian imports.
Meanwhile, Albania could soon resume vegetable exports to Russia after a ban imposed by the Russians over the authenticity of Albanian products after it was identified that Albania was used as a cover for imports from the EU.
