The Growing Importance of the Former USSR Countries in World Agricultural Markets

Abstract

The major countries of the former Soviet Union-specifically Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan-are becoming increasingly important in world agricultural markets. The two main developments are that this region has become a large grain exporter, especially of wheat and barley, and Russia a big agricultural importer, especially of meat. These trends should continue for the next decade. However, policies to expand the livestock sector could mitigate these developments as increased domestic meat production would reduce both meat imports and surplus feed grain for export. Also, further growth in the regions grain exports will require improvement in the infrastructure for storing and transporting grain.