Deputy PM: Russia’s grain exports may exceed 20 mln tns in 2011

MOSCOW, Sep 13 (PRIME) — Russias grain exports may exceed the projected 20 million tonnes in 2011, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said at a meeting Tuesday.

We believe that 20 million tonnes is not the limit, Zubkov said, adding that Russian agriculture companies have so far exported over 7.2 million tonnes of grain since July 1.

Zubkov said he expected Russian grain exporters to supply over 3 million tonnes of grain per month to foreign markets through 2011.

He added that Russias grain harvest presently amounts to about 74.1 million tonnes from the start of the harvest season, up 2% compared to the same period in 2009, when Russia experienced a significant grain harvest.

Zubkov also confirmed that he expected the countrys grain harvest at about 90 million tonnes in 2011.

In 2010, the grain harvest fell 35% on the year to 60 million tonnes due to a severe drought. The Russian government introduced a temporary ban on grain exports in August 2010 in an effort to reduce grain prices. The ban was lifted on July 1.

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