Grain export ban effective until new harvest: Medvedev

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that Russia will not lift the temporary grain export ban until the situation with next harvest becomes clear.

"As soon as we understand how much we have harvested, the embargo will be canceled. You should not even doubt that," said Medvedev during a meeting in Voronezh with agricultural workers in the Central Federal District.

Medvedev stressed the grain embargo was an interim measure, and any moves were possible after the country obtained an estimation on the amount of next year's crop.

The ban, effective from Aug. 15 to Dec. 31, was introduced after the worst drought in Russian history caused a dramatic drop in harvest to 60-65 million tons from 97 million tons in 2009.

Medvedev said current grain stocks might not be sufficient to meet Russia's demand.

"Anyway we will have to seek for grain, and it is the government's duty," said the president as quoted by news agencies.

The Russian government has ordered local authorities to monitor grain stocks regularly and guarantee supplies.

Source: Xinhua