June 9 2003, 14:18

Russia will keep on quoting imports of raw sugar in 2004

A meeting of Russian government's working group, held on June 6, discussed the issues of Russia's sugar import policy in 2004. Among other, all the meeting participants supported the proposal to keep up tariff quoting of raw sugar imports in 2004 with auction system of quota distribution (the auction is to be held in early November this year).

The working group established the following ranges of sugar import parameters in 2004:

- size of raw sugar tariff quota - 3.4 to 3.65 million tonnes;

- rate of customs duty for raw sugar imported within the quota - 95 euros per tonne;

- basic rate of customs duty for raw sugar - 200 to 255 euros per tonne (use of seasonal duty is possible);

- basic rate of customs duty for white sugar - 280 to 310 euros per tonne (use of seasonal duty is possible).

The working group has also discussed the issues of imports of sugar syrup to Russia and preferential imports of white sugar from Belarus.