Alexander Tkachev said that the current subsidy program is designed to 1 July 2018. However, the Agency intends to continue it. "We will lay the money, this is a new measure and we see that it is effective, so will be the system from year to year", — said the Minister.

"We believe that the export of surplus grain from the territory of Russia is more profitable than (purchasing to the intervention Fund — RBC), Russian Railways is also beneficial," — said Tkachev. However, he added that Russia can always return to buy grain to the state Fund (grain interventions).

In January Tkachev criticized grain interventions, calling them "harmful mechanism". He explained that the state does not have enough space to accommodate the procured grain. "And so many grain elevators are overflowing, grain is bought, and the place nowhere", — he explained. However, he admitted that this mechanism can be saved in the event of a sharp decline in grain prices in some regions.

Subsidising rail shipments going overseas grain had previously estimated in his address to the Federal Assembly, President Vladimir Putin. He called it an effective measure, and urged to continue it.

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