The state news agency RIA Novosti quoted First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov as saying that it did not make sense to speak of the resumption of grain exports ahead of winter. “It is not worth raising the issue before transition to the new season–until July 1, 2011,” Zubkov said.
Last month, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia would not lift a ban on grain exports before next year’s harvest. He did not give a specific timeline however.