Russia

MOSCOW. April 21 (Interfax) - Russia's transferable wheat reserves could reach a record 17 million tonnes by July 1, 2010, the president of the Russian Grain Union, Arkady Zlochevsky, told journalists on Wednesday.

"This is a lot and a record for all time," he said, adding that transferable wheat reserves will increase by at least 3 million tonnes in comparison with same period of 2009. Zlochevsky said that this figure was the lowest forecast produced.

Citing statistics from the U.N.'s Food and Agricultural Organization, transferable grain reserves should come to 17% of grain supply, which would be around 13 million-14 million tonnes. "But we will have 17 million tonnes of wheat," he said.