Russian authorities have decided to cancel an embargo on grain exports, which was imposed last year in the wake of a severe drought, from July 1, the prime minister said on Saturday.
A prolonged heat-wave and drought in summer 2010 cut Russia’s grain production by 37% and forced the government to ban wheat, barley, rye, corn and flour exports in August for the first time in the post-Soviet period.
“From July 1, we will lift the ban on grain exports,” Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with his first deputy, Viktor Zubkov.
The Russian authorities originally considered extending the ban until September-October when they could assess the future harvesting results.
Grain traders had opposed the ban, saying it would result in vast grain reserves accumulating in the south of the country and would make grain production less economically appealing, which could end up in lower grain production in the next harvesting season.
“The grain market is now stable,” Zubkov told Putin, adding that harvesting prospects were quite optimistic.
Zubkov also said that southern Russia indeed had sufficient grain reserves, which could begin to be exported already from July 1, and added that the government could use a substantial intervention fund of grain (6 million tons) together with customs and tariff mechanisms to curb any possible price hikes on the domestic market.
NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 28 (RIA Novosti)