IKAR in Mass and Industry Media

Russia posts grain export record in Jul-Aug - IKAR expert

Interfax

Russia could post a historical record in grain exports this year, forecast experts at the Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR).

IKAR's general director, Dmitry Rylko, said that Russia exported up to 3.3 million tonnes of grain, the bulk of which being wheat, in the first two months (July-August) of the 2008 export season.

"This is the highest result [for grain exports] in Russia's history," Rylko told Interfax.

He said that owing to Russia's record grain for this year the potential for export is very high. However, Rylko said, "it is a difficult market with tough competition" adding that a comparable increase in grain exports is visible in Ukraine. "The difference is that Russia largely exports wheat while Ukraine [supplies] barley," he said.

IKAR earlier forecast that grain exports for this agricultural year could increase to 18 million tonnes from 13 million tonnes in 2007.

This week the Agricultural Ministry increased its grain forecast to 95 million tonnes from 85 million tonnes. Russia's 2007-grain harvest came to 81.8 million tonnes. The ministry said that by August 27 Russian farmers had harvested 78.3 million tonnes of grain.

01.09.08

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