Russia expects record grain exports

Moscow - Russia, one of the world's top grain exporters, expects a record year with shipments abroad predicted to reach between 27.5 million and 30 million tonnes, the agriculture ministry said Tuesday.

"The export potential is higher, by about 23%, from last year," the ministry said in a statement.

"A record export volume of between 27.5 and 30 million tonnes is expected," it added.

Russia exported 25.4 million tonnes of grain in the last growing year of July 2013 through June 2014.

The harvest is expected to top 100 million tonnes this year, beating last year's respectable harvest of 92.4 million tonnes.