STATUS OF GRAIN DELIVERIES TO THE SOVIET UNION (ER M 76-1005)

Created: 1/19/1976

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

HISTORICAL REVjEHf PROGRAM

rion, USSR Affairs

Bureau of East-West Trade LbwJ Department of Commerce

report requested

l^jFor inclusion in a ,

lwj from Under Secretary of Commerce by the

White

APPROVAL;

i.elays in some Sovieteeks in December, butfalleneeks since then. reiterated our estimate of Sovietcapability and indicated port6 would notonstraint toSoviet grain purchases. Earlierfor transshipping grain innorts havo also hofnhark.

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6

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

SUBJECT: Status of Grain Deliveries to the Soviet Union

nformation on the current status of grain deliveries to .'ioviot ports to Katherine Brion, USSR Affairs Division, bureauast-West Trade, Department of Commerce, for inclusioneport requested from Under Secretary of Commerce Baker by the White House. Because Miss Brion's request was received one hour before tlie reporting deadline, we telephoned the information to her.

In response to Under Secretary Baker's questions, we indicated delays in some Soviet ports had reached as much as six weeks during Decemberecordhips were delivering grain to the USSR, since then, imcomplete information indicates average waitseeks at major Soviot grain porta. Inefficient Soviet railcar management and scheduling has slowed and delayed movement of imported grain from their porta. In addition, shortages of longshoremen'at tne ports-^nd inland storage problems have further complicated movement of imported grain.

We reiterated our estimate of Soviet port capability to handleillion tons of grain annually. We indicated that Soviets can handle an averageillion tons of grain monthly, less in winter months and more in summer months. Port capacity would notonstraint on future Soviet purchases of US grainillion tons, as allowed under present US policy.

We indicated that earlier Soviet plans to transship as muchillion tons of grain through West European ports have been cut back as the lift has progressed. Currently, actual Soviet contracts call forillion tons of transshipping in Western Europe. Storage on chartered ships is also feasible due to the current depressed chartering market.

iVJanuary

Original document.

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