CURRENT STATE OF THE GRAIN MARKET IN KRASNODAR KRAI

Grain sales in Krasnodar Krai increased, although agricultural organisations and peasant farms followed different trends. Organisations gained a larger share of sales, while peasant farms sold less grain after an earlier rise. Average cereal and pulse prices exceeded their level at the beginning of the study period, yet wheat sold at almost the same price by its end. Annual indices show alternating price increases and declines, making it difficult to decide when to sell the harvest. Storage gives farms the option to postpone sales if they have sufficient working capital and can cover the cost of holding stocks. An assessment of selling conditions therefore needs to compare purchase prices with costs and account for when payments are received. Pooling consignments and sharing storage facilities may broaden the choice of buyers and reduce the selling costs incurred by peasant farms.