Russian AgMin could raise grain export forecast this farming year from current 55 mln tonnes

MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - The Russian Agriculture Ministry is still forecasting the county will export 55 million tonnes of grain in the July 2023-June 2024 marketing year, but could raise it.

This year we plan to export about 55 million tonnes, given our harvest expectations. This figure might be revised up. If we see that our forecasts for grain volumes are growing, then we will adjust the figure for export volumes," Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev told reporters in the Omsk region.

In the prior agricultural year, Russia exported "an absolutely unprecedented volume of grain - 60 million tons," he said. "Such a thing has never happened in the history of our country," Patrushev said.

Speaking about grain donations to a number of African countries, which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at the Russia-Africa forum, Patrushev said: "So far we are talking about six countries and a volume ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes. This is being worked out now, and I think these deliveries will be carried out in the near future." "Russia will continue to be a reliable partner for friendly countries in supplying not only grain, but food products in general," he said.