April 11, 2008

Russia to expand grain exports to 30 million tonnes

Russia expressed plans to increase its grain-sown areas by 3.5 million hectares in the next two years for the country to export 25 to 39 million tonnes of grain annually, Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev said.

The ministry said Russia would harvest at least 85 million tonnes of grain in 2008, which is three million tonnes more than in 2007.

Gordeyev pointed that the grain production in Russia will be brought to 100 million tonnes in the next five years as part of the state programme for the development of agriculture.

Russia aims to become one of the world's top three grain exporters in the next five years.

In the medium term, Russia plans to increase grain production by at least 30 million tonnes than now by using fallow lands.

Under the state programme of agricultural development, grain production in Russia should increase to 100 million tonnes.

In 2007, Russia harvested the biggest grain crop of about 82 million tonnes over the past five years.