MOSCOW, June 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's grain exports for the agricultural year ending July 1 will total more than 13 million metric tons, and exports up to July 1, 2008 will decline to about 10 million metric tons, the agriculture minister said Tuesday.
Addressing a news conference, Alexei Gordeyev said wheat exports would total around 8-10 million metric tons and account for 75-80% of total grain exports during the agricultural year ending July 1, 2008. Barley traditionally holds second place in the country's grain exports.
The minister said a spring sowing campaign was concluded last week on schedule on 49.2 million hectares of land, similar to last year's level. Gordeyev said the harvesting area would occupy 43 million hectares, slightly more than last year.
The official said that the planting acreage had been reduced by 40 million hectares in the past 15 years.
