XIII International Grain Round

The Russian Grain Union under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, the Administration of Krasnodar Territory, Federal Tariff Service, Federal Antimonopoly Service on June 06 – 09, 2012 holds the XIII International Grain Round “Grain market – yesterday, today, tomorrow” in “Kempinski Grand Hotel Gelendzhik 5*”, Gelendzhik, Russia.

The Grain Round is a traditional event organized by the Russian Grain Union at the beginning of a new grain year and dedicated to the discussion of major results of the last season, production forecasts, price and grain market situation dynamics, use of new grain production, processing and storage technologies, grain market transport and financial infrastructure development and other issues.

If at the I Grain Round in 1999 there were 50 participants only, the XII International Grain Round of 2011 was attended by over 400 participants from 13 countries worldwide and from more than 40 Russian regions.

Preliminary programme *

Session 1. Agricultural policy: choosing the path of development – support of production yield or support of consumers

· Development of agriculture and agrifood market – trends, challenges and prospects
· Macroeconomic conditions for agribusiness development
· National Program for the Development of Agriculture and Agrifood Market in 2013-2020: priorities, measures, tools, efficiency
· Debt problem – possible solutions
· How to increase the investment attractiveness of grain business. The competitive environment development at the grain market – expectations of business and new approaches of the state

Panel discussion: “The WTO – Risks and Opportunities”

The first and most obvious consequence of Russia’s affiliation to the WTO in the context of agriculture will be the decrease of import duties. During the discussion, representatives of business and government will assess to what extent the WTO affiliation impacts on the competitiveness of domestic products in the short and long term prospect. Proposals to ensure the effectiveness of agricultural business in the new conditions and governmental regulation and support measures will be discussed.

Session 2. Results of the outgoing and forecasts for the new season: production, balance, grain market situation

· Trends of the global grain market: new challenges and opportunities for Russia. Results of 2011/12 MY – whether the predictions have come true?
· The effectiveness of state regulation measures for grain production and business development
· Customs Union – where to find the gain from the grain markets integration?
· Scenario forecasts of production and market situation of grain and oilseeds
· Grain quality – 2012 – regional aspect
· Regions of Russia – the price forecast

Within the session there will be a panel discussion where the leading analysts and experts will present their forecasts for grain production and grain market situation development in the first half of the season 2012/13.

 Session 3. Technology, infrastructure, investment, risk management

-Technological modernization – how to get the maximum revenue
-Biotechnologies – the state, economic efficiency, prospects and new challenges for Russia
-Grain market infrastructure – new players, new programs. Rail transportation of grain cargoes – current situation, perspective, innovations in state and grain freighters tariff policy
-Storage of grains and oilseeds: innovations, new approaches, efficiency
-New tools of trade finance
-Insurance – first experience from the use of the new law, “corrections” before the winter sowing

* The programme is subject to slight changes
 

Registration fee per 1 delegate

* Discounts are not summed up

Registration fee includes:

· Participation in sessions according to the conference program

· Conference handout materials such as conference brochure, list of participants and their contact details and presentations

· Simultaneous translation (Russian/English)

· Short company description in conference brochure

· Coffee breaks, lunches

· Gala-dinner party in the honour of conference participants on June 8, 2012