Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession.
Drought reduced agricultural output, exports, public revenue, and demand for local manufacturing.
All this helps explain why Moscow has so far been reluctant to reduce exports by more than a token amount.
"To remedy this situation quickly, we cannot avoid reducing exports to the United States."
Reducing exports to America could not be allowed to interfere with Cartel income, after all.
When the Asian crisis began, the general view was that it would have an effect by reducing exports.
China's decision to reduce exports of rare earth metals shocked the world, but the crisis could be an opportunity for Russia.
By independence, local demand had reduced exports to virtually nil.
Crude oil futures rose as Iraq reduced exports because of a pipeline rupture.