December 13, 2011

Russia considers unlimited grain exports

The government of Russia is not thinking of imposing limitations on the export of grain, said Deputy Economic Development Minister Andrei Klepach on Monday (Dec 12).

The ministry expects the anticipated grain exports of 22 million-25 million tonnes in the current agricultural year, which ends on June 30, 2012, not to affect the country's grain balance, Klepach said in October. He said then that after the grain exports reach the maximum expected amount, the Economic Development Ministry could introduce a floating duty on grain exports.

"So far no decisions have been made. So far the export dynamics lie within a balanced course of 23 (million)-25 (million tonnes)," Klepach said.

Since the beginning of the year, the country has exported a total of 15.2 million tonnes of grain as of December 1, according to the Russian Grain Union's data. Russia could export up to 18 million tonnes of grain by the year-end, Arkady Zlochevsky, president of the Union, said in early December.