Russia expands grain handling capacity by 10 mln t in 2024 - Mishustin

CHITA. July 22 (Interfax) - Russia expanded grain handling capacity at ports by 10 million tonnes to 85 million tonnes in 2024, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting on grain exports in Chita on Tuesday.

"We're developing port infrastructure. Last year, grain handling capacity grew by about 10 million tonnes, to almost 85 million tonnes. And such work is continuing," he said.

The throughput capacity of rail lines to ports is also being expanded. There are plans to expand the capacity of the Azov-Black Sea and Eastern routes by more than 50 million tonnes over six years.

Transportation of products is an important objective and comprehensive actions are being taken to accomplish it, Mishustin said. In addition to the expansion of handling capacity, targeted assistance is being provided to Russia's regions.

"This year we increased subsidies for grain shipments from Siberia and from the Urals by railway by a third to more than 8 billion rubles. Thanks to this more than 2 million tonnes were delivered, which is important for local farmers," he said.

"We just looked at a presentation on the work of the Transbaikal Grain Terminal and plans to develop it. An ambitious project with large throughput capacity. All the conditions for shipping and storing product are in place. This opens up additional opportunities for Russian producers, foremost Far Eastern and Siberian ones, to enter foreign markets," Mishustin said.