The FINANCIAL — KIEV. The Ukrainian government on October 4 postponed discussions on the possible introduction of quotas on grain exports, the country's Economics Minister Vasyl Tsushko said, according to RIA Novosti.
The Ukrainian government has repeatedly called for restrictions to the country's grain exports. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov earlier pledged that the Cabinet of Ministers would consider the issue this week.
"The issue needs to be looked into; it is possible that we will introduce it for consideration at the next government meeting [on Wednesday]," Tsushko said.
Russia banned grain exports until at least the end of the year following this summer's severe drought and forest fires. The ban has caused a steady rise in grain prices in Ukraine and around the world.
The Ukrainian government had plans to introduce a temporary quota on grain exports of 2.5 million tons until the end of 2010. However, after the stabilization of the global market, the idea was dropped.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Agriculture lowered harvest forecasts from 42 million tons to 38.6 million in September.
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