March 23, 2004

Little Change Seen In Russia's 2004-2005 Grain Exports
 
Russia is likely to export between five and six million metric tons of grain in the 2004-2005 marketing year, little changed from the previous marketing year, Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev said in Moscow Tuesday.
 
Gordeyev said this year's grain harvest was expected at 75-80 million tons. He added that the agriculture ministry would be able to produce a more accurate forecast by the end of April, when the effect of the weather on the winter crops and the spring planting campaign would be assessed.
 
Russia's 2003 grain harvest was 67.2 million metric tons in clean weight, 22.4% less than in 2002.