Retail chains and suppliers in Russia are predicting a 10-15% increase in buckwheat prices due to a variety of factors including high demand, poor harvest, and increased costs of packaging. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is monitoring the situation and has asked retail chains for detailed information on the rising costs. Some retailers have not yet accepted the price increases proposed by suppliers. The high export rates of buckwheat, especially to China, Japan, and the countries of the former USSR, are also contributing to the market imbalance and the price hike.