
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 3, 1993                   TAG: 9308030140
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: MOSCOW                                LENGTH: Short

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL SEES RECORD GRAIN HARVEST

Russia is likely to have a record grain crop of 120 to 125 million metric tons in 1993, a state official said Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zaveryukha also said the government will not reduce grain imports, but will cut down on the imports of meat, milk and other food products. So far this year, Russia has imported about 7.83 million metric tons of grain, according to Exportkhleb, which purchases bread and grain for Russia.

Russia consumes about 130 million metric tons of grain a year. In 1992, it harvested 106.8 million metric tons and imported 24.75 million metric tons.

Despite the optimistic forecast, agriculture officials have warned that the grain harvest might fall short because of poor equipment.

- Associated Press

by CNB