ST. PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. Russia’s grain exports in the new agricultural year, beginning on July 1, may amount to around 60 million tons, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko has told TASS in an interview.

"Taking into account the carryover stocks, [exporting] around 60 million tons is possible. 55 tons [will be exported] for sure, but possibly even up to 60 million tons," she said.

Russian Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev said earlier that the country may export around 50-55 tons of grain this year and more than 55 tonnes next year. According to the minister, Russian grain exports in agricultural year 2021-2022 stood at 38.1 million tons.

The Russian deputy premier said exporters had to face a number of difficulties related to anti-Russian sanctions over the past year, including problems in payment, logistics, freightage and insurance of sea vessels. As a result, Russian companies had to re-channel their products to other markets, such as the Global South, Latin America and Africa.

Exports of Russian agricultural products grew from $16.3 billion in 2013 to $41.5 billion in 2022.

"Our export forecasts are favorable, because the population is growing," the Russian deputy premier said. "Today, we are the world’s 18th largest agricultural exporter. The task is to be in the top ten in 2030."