As reported "Interfax" the head of the center Igor Pavensky, in January-February it was exported 3.7 mln tonnes of wheat, 1.1 million tonnes less than in the same period last year.

Stocks of wheat in the South (southern and North Caucasus Federal district) amounted to 4,851 million tons, 22.7% more than on March 1, 2019. "Farmers tried to restrain sales, keeping the inventory because of the decline in export prices in February 2020, after the January growth. As a result, the wheat stocks at agricultural enterprises, compared to 1 March 2019 rose by 48.1%, while the increase in inventory at the processing and procurement enterprises by 6%," - said the Pavensky.

So, in the Rostov region, stocks increased by 17.6%, to 1,232 million tons, in Stavropol Krai - by 17.7%, to 1,017 million tons, in Krasnodar Krai - by 45.6%, to 1,849 million tonnes. At the same time, in the Volgograd region, reserves decreased by 5.5% to 494 thousand tons.

Stocks of wheat in the center also increased, but not as much as in the South. Here the increase amounted to 11%, to 4,091 million tons. On February 1, the growth rate was almost two times lower than in March, and 6.1%.

At the same time in the Volga region wheat stocks amounted to 2,612 million tons, which is 15.3% lower than a year ago. A month earlier, the stocks were 18.3% lower than a year ago. Below last year's proved reserves in Siberia - 3,347 million tons (13.1% less).

Total stocks of wheat in Russia on March 1 (excluding small businesses) amounted to 16 million 665 thousand tons, which is 1.1% higher than in 2019. At the same time they are 10.8% below the average over the past five years (18 million 670 thousand tons), noted in the analytical center. A month ago, on February 1, 2020, the stocks of wheat in Russia were lower than last year by 1.4%.

As stated Pavensky, reserves growth and export prices contributed to increase in wheat exports in March to 3 million tonnes from 2 million tonnes a year earlier. "Currently, there is a tendency of declining export prices, against the background of strengthening of the ruble could stabilise domestic wheat prices, which are actively growing from mid-March," - said the head of the center.