Russia, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan, the breadbaskets of the former Soviet empire, have taken a big step towards reuniting control over grain exports in what Moscow hopes will herald the launch of a global Opec-type cartel.

Agriculture ministers from three states backed the creation of the so-called "Black Sea pool" of grain exporters, who between them account for about 14% of global wheat production and 24% of world trade.

"The creation of such a pool will permit us to lower the volatility of the world grain market and its dependence on speculative factors," Yelena Skrynnik, the Russian agriculture minister, said.

Yuri Melnyk, Ukraine's agriculture minister, said: "Only in this format will we be able to defend the interests not only of grain producers, but of grain consumers."

Arman Yevniyev, Kazakhstan's vice-minister for agriculture, said there was "no alternative to concentrating our efforts".

'Looks like a cartel'

However, Russian calls for the pool to be expanded into a global concern, which many observers have compared to the Opec oil producers' cartel, met with a frosty response from the US.

"This Russian idea does look like a cartel," said Michael Michener, administrator of the US Department of Agriculture's foreign agricultural service.

"We would even say to Russia: be cautious about it. If it is done in a way that is trade distortive and trade prohibitive, it would affect Russia's application to the World Trade Organisation."

Moscow has spent a decade pushing for WTO membership.

Rising harvests?

The three former Soviet states also highlighted plans for long-term increases in grain production, with Russia targeting a rise to 135m tonnes in grain production within 10-15 years from about 90m forecast for this year.

Exports will double to 40m-50m tonnes, Russia believes.

Ukraine said it could raise its grain harvest to 80m tonnes over the next few years, from a 2009 crop estimated at 42-43m tonnes.

Kazakhstan's plans to raise annual grain output by 2m tonnes to 18m tonnes, and exports by 2m tonnes to 10m tonnes.