Russia may export 15m tons of grain

The Agriculture Ministry has increased its forecast for grain exports in the 2002-2003 season to 14m-15m tons, Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Alexey Gordeyev declared at a news conference. He noted that by the beginning of 2003 Russia would export 9m tons. The previous forecast of the ministry was 8m-9m tons of grain.

Gordeyev admits that Russia will manage to export the forecasted volume in the event the European Union does not introduce tough restrictions on Ukrainian and Russian grain imports. Russia will take adequate measures on meat and dairy imports from Europe, if the EU introduces restrictions on grain imports, he declared.