Russia: increased wheat and meslin exports by 20,8 percent

Moscow / RU. (ami) In the first half year of 2010, Russia exported 8’478,8 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin, an increase of 20,8 percent compared to the previous year volumes, declared the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation. In monetary terms, grain export volumes also increased by 32,7 percent to the level of 1’447 million USD. However, during the whole year of 2010, the export volumes of wheat and meslin will essentially lower – on August 15, 2010, the Government of the Russian Federation established the ban for grain exports due to the difficult weather conditions and the shortage of grain production. At the same time, according to several sources on the market, Russia will renew the experience of purchasing of essential grain volumes from abroad. According to data of the Federal Customs Service, in the first half year of 2010, Russia imported 74,1 thousand tonnes of wheat and meslin, up 13 percent compared to the same period of 2009. Barley import volumes decreased by 98 percent, to the level of 400 tonnes. In 2009, wheat and meslin import supplies to Russia totalled 94,6 thousand tonnes; down 47,1 percent compared to 2008, according to the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation (source: agrimarket.info).