April 4, 2008

Russia to export 15 million tonnes grain on next season

Russia can export around 15 million tonnes of grain in 2008-09 season if the gross grain yield reaches 85 million tonnes, minister of agriculture, Alexey Gordeev, said.

Gordeev added that in the 2007-08 season, Russia's grain exports may total 13 million tonnes.

By January 2008, when restrictive measures on grain exports were introduced, Russia shipped 12.5 million tonnes of grain, including 11 mln tonnes of wheat. The duties are valid till July 1, 2008.

The ministry reported that the sowing area this season will total 49.5 million hectares.

The state of the winter crops sown in 16 million hectares have been good, the APK-Inform Information Agency said.