Food exports are becoming the main source of income for Russia's budget after oil and gas exports, with the country's grain exports almost exceeding the 2022 figures, acting Head of the Russian Federal Customs Service Ruslan Davydov told Sputnik.
"Food exports are becoming the main source of income for the federal budget after oil and gas," Davydov said on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum.
He also said that the increase in agricultural exports is "about 70% in weight terms," but less in value terms, because "it depends on the price situation."
"Our agricultural exports are growing well. [Russian] President [Vladimir Putin] spoke about this — we have practically exceeded the grain export targets compared to last year. We mainly export grains now. This is the lion's share. Also oilseeds, butter, vegetable oil, sunflower. These are probably the main [export articles]," Davydov noted.
The main buyers of Russian grain are China, countries of the Middle East, Egypt and Kazakhstan, the official added.
"We can probably say that these countries are already our traditional markets," he stressed.
The 8th edition of the Eastern Economic Forum took place on the campus of Vladivostok's Far Eastern Federal University from September 10-13.