December 20, 2010

Russia may expedite grain imports, stocks sales

Russia is likely to expedite grain imports and sales from state stockpiles to relieve tight supply in drought-hit regions, SovEcon said.

"Massive imports as well as intervention sales may ease the tension," said the Moscow-based researcher.

The government may be forced to start sales from 9.64 million tonnes stockpiles earlier than planned, SovEcon said. Sales could begin in March, according to the country's Agriculture Ministry.

Russia, which lost 38 percent of its grain crop in this year's drought and banned exports through July 1, is facing difficulties delivering surplus grain from seven regions in the south and Siberia to the drought-hit areas, SovEcon said.

Feed- grain supply is "particularly" tight.