Russia may revise a ban on exports of grain after the crop is harvested, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov told Ekho Moskvy radio station on Friday.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia would temporarily ban exports of grain and grain products due to the worsening drought. The ban will come into effect on August 15.
"A bit later after the crops are harvested, after we calculate how much and of which quality has been harvested, and how much grain we will need for domestic consumption, only then we will have to immediately think about the possibility of export," Shuvalov said.
Russia is suffering the worst heat wave in the 130 years since records began. The drought has forced the Agriculture Ministry to cut its 2010 grain forecast to 70-75 million tons from 90 million tons.
MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti)
