Russian Railways to Prioritize Grain Transport Purchased Through Exchange Trading

Moscow, Russia – October 8, 2025 – Grain purchased through commodity exchange trading in Russia will be transported by Russian Railways (RZD) with third-priority access, up from the current eighth or ninth, according to a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Saveliev to President Vladimir Putin dated October 7th. The information was reported by TASS.

This shift, implemented under the rules of non-discriminatory access (NDA) to railway infrastructure, will categorize grain transport as part of the third priority, typically reserved for goods transported under specific presidential decrees or instructions. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) confirmed that no additional changes to the existing regulations are required.

The decision follows a request from Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, who oversees the agricultural sector. Patrushev argued that prioritizing exchange-traded grain would foster the development of organized trading, establish reliable price indicators, and increase Russia’s export capacity. He acknowledged that current exchange trading volumes are low due to established relationships between producers and buyers, necessitating measures to encourage greater participation.

RZD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Moscow Exchange, is developing a digital interaction framework to facilitate these prioritized shipments. A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture stated that this initiative will contribute to the growth of organized trading, price formation, and export potential.

Grain loading on RZD’s network decreased by 27% year-on-year to 16.8 million tons in the first nine months of 2025, with export volumes down 43% to 9.5 million tons. RZD stated it will adhere to the new order of priority once it is officially implemented.

The National Commodity Exchange (NTC), part of the Moscow Exchange Group, reports that cumulative grain trading volume over the past four years has exceeded 4 million tons, with over 1,800 agricultural market participants utilizing the platform. Russia’s total grain market was estimated at between 126 and 130 million tons last year.

Industry stakeholders, including the United Grain Company (UGC) and the Union of Grain Exporters and Producers, have expressed support for the initiative. They believe it will attract more participants to exchange trading, enhance price transparency, and streamline the sales and export process. The Union of Grain Exporters and Producers noted the planned launch of a wheat trading 'glass' on the Moscow Exchange in January 2026, with delivery to three major terminals in Novorossiysk, aiming to increase the share of exchange-traded grain to 60%.

According to UGC, they have already procured over 3.3 million tons of wheat worth 53.1 billion rubles through NTC auctions since August 2021, with participation from major agricultural companies like Demetra-Holding, Steppe, and Aston.

However, some analysts express skepticism. Mikhail Burmistrov, CEO of Infoline-Analytics, suggests that the measure could complicate shipment coordination due to the typically small volumes (several wagons at a time) and may not significantly accelerate delivery. He views it as a potentially unnecessary complication to an already inefficient system.