Russia. Grain export ban stays

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would not lift its temporary ban on grain exports until after next year's harvest.

'I believe it's necessary to note that we will only be able to consider lifting the grain export ban after the next year's harvest has been reaped,' Mr Putin told a government meeting in televised remarks.

A record drought has destroyed a quarter of Russia's harvest this summer and Putin signed a decree in early August introducing a ban on grain exports from August 15 to December 31.

Mr Putin subsequently hinted that the government might extend the embargo into the next year.


straitstimes