Russia bans grain exports until April 30

A resolution on banning wheat exports to Belarus and
Kazakhstan, part of a Customs Union with Russia, was signed on February 18 by
Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov.

In late January, the Russian
government imposed a 40% export duty on grain exports to stabilize retail bread
and flour prices. However, the duty, which will also remain in place until April
30, did not apply to the member states of the Customs Union, prompting the
Russian government to impose a direct ban on exports to the two ex-Soviet
republics.

The need for grain intervention arose when grain prices
reached a record level of 6,300 rubles ($250) per metric ton of class 4 wheat
and 5,700 rubles ($226) per metric ton of forage fodder in July 2007. Prices of
bread, flour and other wheat-based food products also grew as a result.

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