Mr Putin noted that reports from a number of regions indicate that grain prices are rising and reminded the minister that funds were allocated last year to create a special reserve to prevent sudden price fluctuations.
Mr Gordeyev said that the results from this year’s grain harvest so far give reason to expect that there will be no shortage on the grain market. According to Agriculture Ministry forecasts, Russia will be in a position to export 10 million tons of grain this year.
Mr Gordeyev confirmed that grain prices have been rising on world markets of late, but said that Russia’s agriculture sector has the instruments it needs to keep prices stable.
The President said he hoped these instruments would be competently used.