ST. PETERSBURG, June 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's first deputy prime minister told a grain forum in St. Petersburg on Sunday that new countries must be admitted to the world grain market to ensure stable production.

The first World Grain Forum opened on Saturday, with participants focusing on grain prices, food security and technology.

Viktor Zubkov told reporters: "Real access to the grain market must be provided for new players, countries starting to develop grain production, to overcome the imbalance between demand and supply volumes on the food market amid the global economic crisis."

Russian Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik earlier said the country intends to increase its grain exports from 20 million metric tons in 2009 to 40-50 million metric tons in 10-15 years.

Russia saw a record high grain harvest of 108 million tons in 2008 and is expected to harvest 80-90 million tons this year.