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    July 02, 2011

Russia Lifts Ban One-Year on Grain Exports

   Jessica Golloher | Moscow
   An employee sweeps up grains in a warehouse in the the village of
   Konstantinovo, some 60 km (37 miles) from the Southern Russian city of
   Stavropol, June 7, 2011
   Photo: REUTERS
   An employee sweeps up grains in a warehouse in the the village of
   Konstantinovo, some 60 km (37 miles) from the Southern Russian city of
   Stavropol, June 7, 2011

   The Kremlin has lifted its ban on grain exports. The move brings the
   world's former third-largest wheat exporter back on the market.
   Moscow banned foreign wheat exports after catastrophic fires and
   drought last year destroyed one third of the country's crops. Officials
   say the precautionary measure was taken to prevent domestic shortages.
   Andrei Sizov, an analyst with the think-tank Sovecon, says this year's
   harvest will provide millions of tons of grain exports, but admits it
   may be difficult for Russia to regain its export potential after the
   one-year ban.
   "We expect that total Russia grain export will be around 15 million
   tons, maybe some more. It will depend on demand and world prices," he
   said.
   Russia expects to harvest 85 to 90 million tons of grain this year.
   Meteorologists say they do not expect a repeat of last year's draught
   because there have been sufficient showers in both May and June.
   Yuri Khramtsov, manager of the Shchigry farm in the Kursk region, says
   he expects ample crops this year.
   He says that on average, the harvests range from 3 to 4.7 tons of wheat
   per hectare, depending on the weather. Khramtsov says that this year
   weather conditions were more or less favorable for grain cultures. He
   says with all the rain this year, farmers can expect that there will be
   a harvest of more than four tons per hectare at this farm.
   Russian officials say they will continue to monitor the domestic market
   to ensure prices remain far below world prices. They say have about six
   million tons of grain ready to intervene in the market if necessary.

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