February 17, 2012

Russia to export one million tonnes grain to Asia-Pacific countries

About one million tonnes of grain may be exported by Russia to Asian-Pacific countries in the 2011-12 agricultural year, Arkady Zlochevsky, president of the Russian Grain Union, told reporters Thursday (Feb 16).

"If the market conditions are favourable, export could reach one million tonnes," Zlochevsky said.

Grain supplies to Asia-Pacific countries started developing in 2010, but were suspended after Russia introduced a grain export ban following its worst drought in decades, Zlochevsky explained.

"We can say that we have just discovered this market," he added.

The main export item is wheat followed by corn and barley. Japan orders rice supplies for Japanese food restaurants in Europe, Zlochevsky said.

Zlochevsky estimates Russia's total grain export at 25 million tonnes in the current agricultural year.