Russia's grain export rate is higher this year than 2007 but will likely decline in the near future,the vice-president of the Russian Grain Union,Alexander Korbut,told Interfax on October 20.
 
Korbut said that Russia exported more 309,000 tonnes in July in comparison with the same period of 2007,August - 570,000 tonnes and September 698,000 tonnes. Since the start of the new agricultural year (July 1,2008),Russia exported 7.3 million tonnes of grain.
 
However,Korbut said that in the coming months grain export rates would decline largely owing to the drop in world market prices. He added that in October 2007,Russia exported a record 3.15 million tonnes of grain. In the first two weeks of October 2008,exports only came to 1.049 million tonnes.
 
The Grain Union has forecast that exports of grain from Russia for the current agricultural year (July 2008-July 2009) could reach 20 million-21 million tonnes. "However,this [figure] could be adjusted upward or downward all depending on world trends," Korbut said.
 
The Agricultural Ministry said that Russia' export potential in 2008 could come to 25 million tonnes of grain.
 
However,a representative of a grain trading company said that grain exports could decrease owing to problems with quality.
 
He said that consumers have had complaints. "It is currently quite difficult for exporters to put together export shipments,which would meet consumer demands in full measure," he said.
 
The Grain Union said that the share of foodstuff wheat in the total of wheat harvest comes to 62% for this year against 69% in 2007. However,in natural terms the foodstuff wheat harvest increased to 39 million tonnes.