Russia is preparing to send 21,000 metric tons of high-quality flour as food aid to Afghanistan, an economic adviser at the Russian embassy in Kabul said on Monday.

Georgy Mishin said the delivery, worth $5 million, would be part of Russia's annual contribution to the UN World Food Program.

"The delivery is likely to start in 2010," the embassy official said.

So far in 2009, Russia has delivered 18,200 metric tons of flour directly to Afghanistan to alleviate critical food shortages, and has supplied another 7,200 metric tons under the UN program.

Mishin also said that the Russian emergencies ministry was ready to deliver 52 KamAZ trucks to the country as a gift to the Afghan agriculture ministry.

KABUL, November 30 (RIA Novosti)