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Russia has exported 12 mln tonnes of export to date

Earlier, it was reported that Russia was introducing a floating tax on grain export: supplies to clients abroad will be limited, if they exceed 23-24 million tonnes

MOSCOW, October 26 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia has so far exported about 12 million tonnes of grain, beating the forecasts of experts for grain export in 2011, the director of the agricultural and food market control and infrastructure department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Sergei Sukhov, told reporters on Wednesday.

"If you look at the forecasts of international organizations and analysts regarding the export of grain for the current season - in 2011-2012, you will see that their figure was at 11-11.1 million tonnes of grain. Last week, the export was at 11.2 million tonnes, and now, it is close to 12 million tonnes," he said. "We are ahead of schedule, we have already provided the amount of grain we were expected to on the world market," said Sukhov.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia was introducing a floating tax on grain export: supplies to clients abroad will be limited, if they exceed 23-24 million tonnes. "I would not over-dramatize possible measures to regulate the export of grain from Russia," said Sukhov. The matter will be substantively discussed at the international grain forum World Grain Market - Perspectives, Challenges, Risks And Threats, which will be held in Moscow on December 7, 2011.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at a meeting with farmers in Stavropol said that the government would impose protective duties on grain export above 24-25 million tonnes this year.

"This year’s export will be around 24-25 million tonnes - then we will introduce some restrictions, so as not to leave the country without bread, so we have the reserves, carry-overs for the next year," he said.

"This means that those who are engaged in exporting grain should turn an attentive ear to us today and not make unnecessary export contracts. We want to be sure they will not be coming to us to say, ‘We have a contract, let us export a little bit more," the prime minister warned.

"We can export about 24-25 million tonnes. Then we will raise export taxes, and this means that in this way we will regulate prices in the domestic market," he concluded.