Russian wheat exporters are putting pressure on farmers to reduce their domestic prices in response to the strengthening of the ruble, which makes Russia is a large exporter of wheat less competitive on the world market.

Domestic prices in rouble terms decreased in the southern regions of Russia, informs Agro2b.ru with reference to Reuters.

Black sea prices for Russian wheat with a protein content of 12.5 % were at $184 per tonne on FOB basis. At the end of last week prices have increased by $4.5 compared to a week earlier, according to SovEcon.

Against the background of growth of the rouble there is a slow decline in domestic prices. In this situation, exporters are forced to raise the price of Russian wheat.

Between 1 July and 9 March, the Russian grain exports amounted to 26.0 million tons , including 19.2 million tons of wheat, reported Ministry of agriculture of the Russian Federation. The rate of export of grain increased by 3% yoy.

Domestic prices for third class wheat fell by 125 rubles, compared with the end of the previous week until 11 175 rubles ($159) per tonne in the European part of Russia on the EXW basis, according to SovEcon.

Sowing campaign of spring grain is running faster than last year . According to 2015 on the same date was sown 547 000 ha, as 16.03.16 644 planted 300 hectares.

The weather remains favorable and warmer than usual for this time of year in many regions of Russia, meteorologists report. In Russia winter grain crops are in better condition than at the end of November. However, the condition of winter grain crops remain unsatisfactory in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions in the Central part of Russia.

According to SovEcon average prices for sunflower seeds fell by $ 100 and account for 26 000 rubles per ton. Domestic prices for sunflower oil fell 1 575 roubles and 55 are 750 rubles per ton. Export prices for black sea wheat in the country remain at $750 per ton.