Russia's grain export ban is set to continue until the autumn, the country's agriculture minister confirmed.

Agriculture minister Yelena Skrynnik said the government would not be able to make a decision until the end of September or in October.

"At the end of September-October, we will calculate the harvest. Only then can you make a decision to either extend or abolish the embargo on grain exports," she said.

The country banned the export of grain in August last year following its worst drought in a century.

Skyrnnik said that the main task is to effectively manage the spring planting of 50m hectares, including 30m hectares of grain, which may provide a yield of around 85m tonnes of grain.

"The restoration of grain exports is among our key priorities," she said.