High hopes for Russia's grain

MOSCOW, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Russian grain production for the year is expected to be comparable to 2009 despite a widespread drought, a government official said.

The lack of rain over much of Russia contributed in part to a Kremlin decision to halt grain exports for the year. The drought wiped out nearly 30 percent of the grain harvest, costing the country billions.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said last week the export ban would be in place until agricultural officials are better able to make predictions about the 2011 harvest.

Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister Alexander Petrikov said he expected grain production to be level despite the drought.

"We plan to sow up to 18 million hectares of winter grain this year, the same amount as we did last year," he was quoted by The Wall Street Journal as saying. "All of the resources are in place to make this happen."

Russia is expecting rain throughout the week, though not enough to have a significant effect on agricultural crops.

Arkady Zlochevsky, the president of the Russian grain union, said the Kremlin's predictions were realistic.

"Of course, it all depends on the rains," he told the Journal.