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Ukraine pledges food aid to Georgia, Armenia, hit by Russian grain ban
02:54 19/09/2010
KIEV, September 19 (RIA Novosti) - Despite low harvest, Ukraine is
ready to render food aid to Georgia and Armenia, who were affected by
Russia's grain export ban, the country's prime minister said.
Georgia imports 85% of all consumed grain, with 95% coming from
Russia. Armenia also traditionally imports 300,000-400,000 metric tons
of grain from Russia annually, with its own harvest usually enough to
last for 2.5-3 months.
"Despite this year's harvest being lower than last year, we have
enough [grain] not only for ourselves but also for helping Georgia,
Armenia and other countries that sought our assistance," Mykola Azarov
was quoted as saying by his press service.
Ukraine's agriculture ministry has again revised its grain harvest
forecast from 42-43 million metric tons to 38 million metric tons. The
figure stood at 46-48 million metric tons early this year.
The Kremlin banned grain exports until at least the end of the year
following this summer's severe drought and forest fires that destroyed
around 10.8 million hectares of crops and reduced harvest forecasts to
as low as 60 million tons, 38 percent less that in 2009.
The ban has caused a steady rise in grain prices in Russia and around
the world.
From: A. Papazian
02:54 19/09/2010
KIEV, September 19 (RIA Novosti) - Despite low harvest, Ukraine is
ready to render food aid to Georgia and Armenia, who were affected by
Russia's grain export ban, the country's prime minister said.
Georgia imports 85% of all consumed grain, with 95% coming from
Russia. Armenia also traditionally imports 300,000-400,000 metric tons
of grain from Russia annually, with its own harvest usually enough to
last for 2.5-3 months.
"Despite this year's harvest being lower than last year, we have
enough [grain] not only for ourselves but also for helping Georgia,
Armenia and other countries that sought our assistance," Mykola Azarov
was quoted as saying by his press service.
Ukraine's agriculture ministry has again revised its grain harvest
forecast from 42-43 million metric tons to 38 million metric tons. The
figure stood at 46-48 million metric tons early this year.
The Kremlin banned grain exports until at least the end of the year
following this summer's severe drought and forest fires that destroyed
around 10.8 million hectares of crops and reduced harvest forecasts to
as low as 60 million tons, 38 percent less that in 2009.
The ban has caused a steady rise in grain prices in Russia and around
the world.
From: A. Papazian