MOSCOW, Jul 14 (PRIME) — Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov on Thursday revised up Russias projected grain harvest by 6% to 90 million tonnes in 2011.
The grain harvest amounted to 7.5 million tonnes as of Wednesday, Zubkov also said.
Zubkov said that Russia plans to export 1.5 million tonnes of grain in July with applications submitted to customs service amounting to 6.5 million tonnes of grain. Grain is exported to 27 countries, including Russias traditional markets of Egypt, Israel, and Turkey, Zubkov added.
There are no grounds for introducing customs tariff regulation (on the grain market), Zubkov said, adding that the government has the situation under control.
Zubkov added that grain prices are suitable for both producers and consumers.
No exact figures were provided.
The Russian government lifted its ban on grain exports on July 1. The ban was introduced in August 2010 in an effort to reduce grain prices amid a severe drought. Russia could export up to 15 million tonnes of grain in the 20112012 agricultural year, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said earlier.
Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said in June that, with favorable weather conditions, Russias grain harvest is expected at 85 million tonnes in 2011.
In 2010, the countrys grain harvest fell 35% on the year to 60.3 million tonnes due to a prolonged drought, Skrynnik said earlier.
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