November 26, 2010

Russia may need five million tonnes of grain imports

Russia may need to import five million tonnes of grain when the current marketing year ends next July 1 because carry-over stockpiles will be minimal by then, according to the National Grain Producers' Union.

The group estimates stockpiles from the prior year at between 21-26 million tonnes, Alexei Smorodov from the National Grain Producers' Union said. It projects a 2011 grain harvest of 80-85 million tonnes, enough to satisfy domestic consumption and permit a resumption of exports next year, he said.

"The perspective to harvest 80-85 million tonnes of grain is real, if we manage to meet planned targets of spring sowing," Smorodov said. "If this goal is reached, there will be no talk about grain imports in the next marketing year."