The Russian government will keep issuing grain quality certificates for exported cereals until November 1 this year, the government said on Thursday. A government order published on the official website www.government.ru did not say who will be issuing the certificates after that date.
The certificates, currently issued by an agency under the farm ministry, are necessary for customs to clear grain shipments for export. The Russian State Grain Inspectorate, which used to issue the certificates, was abolished in last year's government reform.
Its functions were shifted to the agriculture ministry in May for a period of three months after complaints by some exporters about problems with customs clearance. Grain producers and traders urged the government in June to scrap the domestic certificates as exporters also need internationally accepted certificates to sell their grain on foreign markets.
Russia expects to harvest 76-78 million tonnes of grain this year, however the government has not yet make public export plans. Analysts say Russia may be able to ship up to 12 million tonnes in 2005/06 agricultural year started on July 1.
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