Purchases by Mexico of Russian wheat could increase by more than double in 2018 and to reach 520 thousand tons, said in an interview with RIA Novosti, the Minister of agriculture of the Latin American countries josé Calzada Rovirosa.

"If Russia will be able to offer wheat at competitive prices and in accordance with the required quality standards, Mexican industry will to see Russia as an important source of supply with an eye on 2018, when it is possible to import (from Russia) about 520,2 thousand tons of wheat," said Rovirosa.

According to him, in 2015 Mexico imported 178,5 thousand tons of wheat from Russia at $ 38 million and for Jan-March 2016 — 120,1 thousand tons, which gives reason to expect before the end of the year 200 thousand tons of Russian wheat.

A year ago the previous Minister of agriculture of Mexico, Enrique Martinez and Martinez told RIA Novosti that the delivery of Russian wheat in Mexico in 2014 totaled 458 thousand tons. Thus, the purchase decreased by 2.5 times.

According to Roversi, the need of Mexico in wheat the average for the last ten years is, every year more than 3.7 million tons with an upward trend in the first place we are talking about wheat for making bread. "With this in mind, it is important for Mexico to diversify its suppliers of grain, which will give us more confidence in meeting the needs of the country," the official said.