Hullabaloo on food market-fraudulent speculation-minister.

MOSCOW, August 27 (Itar-Tass) - The hullabaloo on food markets, raised
after the unprecedented drought in many Russian regions is "a fraudulent
speculation and nothing more," said Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik
in an interview with the Rossiiskaya Gazeta, published on Friday.
"Russia will have quite enough grain, taking into account last year's
reserves," Skrynnik assured. According to the minister, the domestic
consumption in the country amounts to 77-78 million tonnes. According to
the latest date, 42 million tonnes have been garnered in. "At our request,
Rosstat (State Statistical Service) has revised data on grain reserves,
left in the country since the last year.
"Taking into account stocks at personal farmers' households, the
figure stood at 25.8 million tonnes as of last June 1. This is already
nearly 70 million tonnes. The harvesting is only picking up steam in
Siberia and the Urals. According to the forecast, these regions plan a
good crop," the minister said. "So, I can tell you: there will be grain
for domestic consumption.
"Prime Minister Vladimir Putin already called two forecasts of the
harvest: pessimistic - 60 million tonnes and optimistic - 65-67 million
tonnes. We are treading so far an optimistic road," Skrynnik said.
Commenting on the situation with price hikes for buckwheat, she quoted
figures: "The country consumes annually 515,000 tonnes. In 2009, we
harvested 564,000 tonnes, import amounted to 1,100 tonnes and export -
6,700 tonnes. The carry-over is 43,000 tonnes on July 1, 2010. According
to our specialists, we shall reap 450,000 tonnes this year. This means
that there will be virtually no shortage of buckwheat in the country."
If some try to rig up prices sharply at some shops, this "is
fraudulent speculation and price collusion", the minister emphasised. "The
anti-monopoly service should do proper work in this field." "Everything is
normal with buckwheat in the country with production and consumption. We
have this cereal, don't worry," Skrynnik said.
-0-bur


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