Kazakhstan, Astana, Aug. 8 / Trend D.Mukhtarov /
There are no restrictions on the export of Russian grain, President of the Russian Grain Union Arkady Zlochevsky said on Wednesday during a videoconference in Astana on "Food Security: forecasts, risks, concerns".
He said Russia's reserves are 13-15 million tons of grain.
In late July, the World Bank published a report saying that hot and dry weather in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan may become a reason for the increase in food prices that will adversely affect the situation of the poor.
Wheat prices have increased since mid-June by more than 50 percent, and corn - more than 45 percent.
Zlochevsky said grain prices today depend primarily on the situation in the so-called "American corn belt," which witnesses a severe drought this year. Drought in Russia, as Zlochevsky added, also contributes.
According to the Director of the Department of Economic Development and Agricultural Market of the Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine Sergey Kvasha, food prices depend on the total demand and the state of the global financial market.
Speaking about the situation in Ukraine, Kvasha said that as of August 7, the country harvested more than 20 million tons of grain, including more than 16 million tons of wheat. He said this amount is sufficient to ensure food security of Ukraine.
Kvasha added that five million tonnes of wheat are needed to ensure the domestic market of Ukraine.
"50 million tons for Ukraine on the crop is an annual standard, and hope for the same harvest this year," Kvasha said.