Russia Plans Additional Farm Support Measures Amid Export Constraints

Media reports, citing Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut, said Russia's Agriculture Ministry is preparing additional support measures for farmers because logistics difficulties in the Azov-Black Sea basin are threatening agricultural exports and winter sowing work. According to Sina Finance, the proposed measures include extending the terms of preferential loans and equipment leasing agreements, with the proposals already submitted to the government. The plan also calls for per-hectare subsidies for regions carrying out winter sowing, while the government is considering suspending farm bankruptcy proceedings during the crop-growing season and keeping farms' agricultural producer status even if sales decline. Authorities are also studying an intervention purchase plan for 1 million to 3 million tons of grain, likely to be implemented in southern regions.