The deal signed in October 2016. on the supply to Syria of 1 million tons of Russian wheat, is in jeopardy, sources claim AGN. Reuters Russian and Syrian sides. According to the AGN. "Grain Online".

Officials of the Syrian government say that the deal is in the final stages of not yet finally agreed, and blame it on bureaucratic red tape. Officials of the Russian Ministry of agriculture the reason I see that the winner was a little-known company with little experience in trading activities, which offered too low a price.

Syrian grain Agency Hoboob in 2016. spent 3 tender for the purchase of 1.35 million tons of wheat to fill a huge deficit, a country has not seen for 27 years. And the last time a tender was held for the Russian wheat.

Food supplies to Syria are not under international sanctions, but sanctions by the US and the EU is an international financial activity of the government of Bashar al-Assad. And only foreign trade with Russia is with minimal problems. Tender for the supply of 1 million tons of Russian wheat expected monthly supply of 75 thousand tonnes after the opening of the letter of credit.

On approval of the Syrian side, the letters of credit were not opened because of bureaucratic delays and approvals.

In the Russian Ministry of agriculture claim that and was hoping for the fulfillment of the contract because the company Zurnamer – the winner of the tender was not able to deliver grain at a price of 150 €/ton (161,37 $/ton) on the basis of C&F. For comparison. Last week Russian wheat (protein 12.5 percent) and FOB with delivery in February was offered at a price of 185 $/ton.

Attempts AGN. Reuters to contact the company Surnamer was unsuccessful.

Wheat, purchased by Syria in the first two tenders of 2016. (350 thousand tons) has already been delivered to the country. Additionally, imports supplied 50 thousand tons. However, according to Russian customs, Russian wheat in the amount of not more than 48.3 thousand tons. Russia had earlier planned to give Syria 100 thousand tons of wheat as humanitarian assistance. The first of the 4 cargo should be shipped in February.

Still not clear why the Syrian government has given the contract to supply 1 million tons of wheat company Surnamer. Representatives of the Ministry of agriculture and the grain of the community have expressed doubts about the execution of the transaction from the beginning.