Sources and LSEG shipping information showed that a second shipment of 54,000 metric tonnes of Russian wheat, out of the 430,000 Egypt purchased in September, left the port at Novorossiysk last Friday.

The Russian agricultural watchdog confirmed that it had issued all of the phytosanitary certificates necessary for the wheat shipment.

Egypt's Ministry of Supply, in September, announced that the General Authority for Supply Commodities had agreed to buy 430,000 tons of Russian Wheat for October delivery.

Delays pushed back the shipment of goods from November to December.

The first shipment that left Novorossiysk, Russia on December 10 arrived in Egypt this week.

The details of the Russian wheat contract remain secret, including the payment terms and supplier.

Russia has not commented officially on the deal. Eduard Zernin of the Russian Union of Grain Exporters and Producers told GASC that Russian exporters had no obligation to GASC in relation to 430,000 tons. He added that "they act under private agreements based on direct deals with the buyer".

Together, these two shipments totaled 120,000 tons. Egypt bought another 290,000 tonnes in November. This brings the total wheat shipment since September to 410,000.

Egypt has since replaced GASC with Mostakbal Misr Agency for Sustainable Development, its new importer of strategic commodities.

Rusgrain confirmed the Russian Agriculture Ministry was formally informed of this change. They also expressed their willingness to work with Mostakbal Misr. Reporting by Mohamed Ezz; Editing and editing by Ros Russell

(source: Reuters)