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Russia cuts foods import by almost 40% in two years — minister

The agriculture minister says Russia’s agribusiness support measures can only be implemented if keeping aid to sector worth $3.6 bln

VERKHANOVO VILLAGE, July 28. /TASS/. Russia reduced foods import by 40% in the last two years, Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachev said on Thursday.

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"Foods import dropped by almost 40% in the last two years," the minister said.

Tkachev also paid special attention to reclamation of lands. "Moisture shortage is an absolutely obvious challenge. It can only be resolved through reclamation," he said.

The Russian Ministry of Agriculture increased the grain harvest outlook up to 110 mln tonnes this year. 104.8 mln tonnes of grain were harvested in the last agricultural year.

Implementation of support measures for the Russian agricultural sector is only possible if aid to the sector is maintained at 237 bln rubles ($3.6 bln), Tkachev added.

"All the measures for agriculture development listed [at the meeting] can only be implemented on condition of keeping [planned] volume of support - 237 bln rubles ($3.6 bln). Then we will be able to support ourselves with main kinds of foods by 80-90% and saturate our market," the minister said.

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Trade & Cooperation Agriculture

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