Russia could boost grain exports to 55-60 mln tonnes by end of agricultural year - Putin

MOSCOW. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Russia could increase grain exports to 55-60 million tonnes by the end of the current agricultural year, President Vladimir Putin said in his address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday.

"By the end of the agricultural year, that is, by June 30, 2023, we could boost the overall volume of grain exports to 55-60 million tonnes," Putin said, noting that, "Even 10-15 years ago, this seemed to be just a fairy tale, an unrealistic plan."

"If you recall, and for sure some here remember, not so long ago we harvested 60 million tonnes [of grain] per year, but now the export potential alone is 55-60 million tonnes," the president said.

Last year, Russian agricultural production grew at double digits, Putin said. "Our deepest gratitude to the agricultural producers. Russian farmers brought in a record harvest - more than 150 million tonnes of grain, including more than 100 million tonnes of wheat," he said.

As reported earlier, according to Rosstat, agricultural production in Russia increased by 10.2% in 2022. The grain harvest stood at 153.8 million tonnes, including 104.4 million tonnes of wheat. The harvest was 61 million tonnes in 2010. Since 2014, grain harvests in Russia have exceeded 100 million tons. The previous record was set in 2017 with 135.5 million tonnes, including 86 million tonnes of wheat.