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Russia's grain export volumes fell sharply in October, while Raiffeisen's Russian units posted a quarterly loss on a court-imposed penalty.
Russia shipped 2.3 million tonnes of grain through its ports in October, against about 7 million tonnes a year earlier, according to the Russian Grain Union. Wheat shipments fell 3.1 times to 2 million tonnes; shipments to Egypt, the largest buyer, dropped four-fold to 380,800 tonnes. Maize exports were flat at 243,600 tonnes, and shipments to Iran, the top destination across all grains, were 40% lower year on year.
Source: Interfax, 3 Nov 2026
Raiffeisen Bank International's Russian business recorded a loss of EUR 37 million in the third quarter, compared with a EUR 319 million profit a year earlier. The group set aside EUR 300 million for penalties tied to a Russian court ban on proceedings abroad; a Russian court ordered Raiffeisenbank on 20 October to pay EUR 342 million to Rasperia. Nine-month profit of the Russian units was EUR 512 million, and RBI says it is continuing to wind down its Russian operations.
Source: Interfax, 3 Nov 2026
The Federal Antimonopoly Service and the Energy Ministry will lower the mandatory exchange-sales norm for jet fuel from 11% to 5% from 9 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. The norm for petrol was earlier cut from 15% to 10% through year-end. The measures aim to support stability on the domestic fuel market, according to Interfax.
Source: Interfax, 3 Nov 2026
The Industry Ministry expects RUB 14 billion for the transport subsidy for industrial exporters in 2027 (about USD 150 million), versus RUB 17.7 billion in the original draft budget and RUB 2.7 billion actually allocated in 2026. The per-recipient compensation cap is set to rise from RUB 200 million to RUB 400 million. The figure remains subject to the second and third Duma readings.
Source: Interfax, 3 Nov 2026
The government raised the import duty on spirits from unfriendly countries to 35%, with a minimum of EUR 5 per litre, from 20% and EUR 3 per litre. The decree, signed on 31 October, covers whisky, rum, gin and liqueurs and runs to 31 December 2027. The budget explanatory note expects the increase to add RUB 10 billion to 2027 revenue.
Source: Interfax, 4 Nov 2026
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