Russia becomes leader of grain exports

Russia exported 18.6 million tons of grain by January 12, 2012, Russian Vice-Premier Victor Zubkov told a session of the commission for agriculture, ITAR-TASS reports.

The state has become one of world leaders in grain exports, Zubkov notes. Agriculture brought macroeconomic stability. Inflation totaled 6.1%. 16.1 million hectares of winter crops were planted.

The vice-premier reminded the commission that over 50 billion rubles were provided for plant cultivation from the federal budget. The government passed decisions on giving discounts for fuel to agricultural enterprises. The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service will make proposals on the discounts in 2012.

Zubkov emphasized that the main goal is to preserve development of the agricultural market and form the necessary conditions for grain volumes to rise no lower than last year’s. Growing grain demands are especially visible in the animal-breeding industry. 93 million tons of grain were harvested in 2011.