September 2, 2010

Russia permits grain export in special cases

The Russian government has made exceptions to the temporary embargo on grain exports, allowing the resumption of exports in special cases like humanitarian aid.

The ban will not affect exports needed to fulfil a number of Russia's international agreements, including grain products for humanitarian aid, according to a government decree published on Wednesday (Sep 1).

A record drought has destroyed a quarter of Russia's harvest this summer and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a decree in early August introducing a ban on grain exports from August 15-December 31.

Putin later indicated the government may even extend the embargo beyond that date.