Reports: Russia may not resume grain exports until July 2011 because of expected shortage
By APFriday, October 1, 2010
Russia may not resume grain export until July 2011
MOSCOW — Russia’s top agriculture official says Moscow may extend its ban on grain exports until next July.
RIA Novosti news agency quoted Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov as saying Friday that the resumption of exports is “not feasible.”
Global wheat prices skyrocketed after Russia announced the ban in August following the hottest summer on record and fires that devastated the country. Zubkov says this year’s harvest won’t exceed 66 million tons, below the country’s annual need of 77 million tons.
Zubkov comment contrasts with statements by President Dmitry Medvedev that Russia may lift the ban after harvest figures come out later this year.
Last year, Russia was the world’s third largest wheat exporter.
