MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Exports of Russian agricultural products at the end of 2023 amounted to $43.5 billion, updated figures may be higher, First Deputy Agriculture Minister Oxana Lut said at the International Grain Forum 2024 in Dubai.

"In general, Russia’s exports last year amounted to $43.5 billion, maybe a little more, there will be additional calculations. The main export was, of course, grain - last year we supplied 66 million tons to foreign markets to our partners, and 51 million tons is wheat," Lut said.

"The potential for supplying grain products to foreign markets is about 70 million tons this year, and for leguminous products it is 4 million tons. It seems to me that, based on production volumes, we can achieve this," the first deputy minister added.

She also noted that Russian grain products are one of the most affordable in terms of price and quality. "Russia will continue to support this position," Lut said.

According to her, the Russian Agriculture Ministry is now discussing the possibility of providing guarantees to key partner countries for the supply of grain in the required volumes that countries need to maintain food security.

"In general, there is production volume, but there are certain risks. Now the main risk that we sees is settlements. We constantly have situations arising, since the share of settlements in national currencies is small. Currently, up to 10% of settlements for our grain products are in national currencies," said Lut.

Earlier the Federal Customs Service of Russia, reported that the country’s agricultural products in 2023 amounted to $43.1 billion.