Russia has resumed the export of wheat after a one-year gap following catastrophic fires and drought that destroyed one-third of the country's crop.

Russia, once the world's third largest wheat exporter, banned exports to preserve supplies for domestic consumption. However, this year's harvest is expected to be better than projected, and, based on rainfall in May and June, meteorologists do not expect a repeat of last year's drought conditions.

Russian officials now estimate Russia will export up to 15 million tons of grain in 2011. The officials say they will monitor domestic conditions closely as the country's exports increase.

Russian wheat prices have been in decline in recent weeks. Officials say that if prices start to rise at home, they have 6 million tons of grain in reserve to stabilize them.

It is unclear to what extent Russia's resumption of exports will affect international grain markets.