January 13, 2014

Russia's 2013 grain harvest up 30% on-year

Russia harvested 89.3 million tonnes of grain in clean weight during 2013, a 30% increase compared to 68.7 million tonnes in 2012, the national statistics agency, Rosstat, reported.

According to the agency, wheat harvest in 2013 was 52.1 million tonnes in clean weight, including winter wheat and spring wheat, compared to 37.7 million tonnes in 2012. Wheat average yield in 2013 was 2.23 tonnes a hectare (ha) compared with 1.77 tonnes/ha in 2012.

Triticale harvest was 582,000 tonnes, compared with 464,000 tonnes in 2012, with the average yield rising to 2.41 tonnes/ha from 2.08 tonnes/ha in 2012. Triticale is a crop specy resulting from a plant breeder's cross between wheat (Triticum) and rye (Secale).

Corn harvest was 10.7 million tonnes, compared with 8.2 million tonnes in 2012, with the average yield rising to 5.04 tonnes/ha from 4.24 tonnes/ha in 2012. Barley harvest was 15.4 million tonnes, compared with 14 million tonnes in 2012, with the average yield rising to 1.92 tonnes/ha from 1.82 tonnes/ha in 2012.

The rest of the harvested grains included buckwheat and other minor grains.

In 2012, Russia's grain harvest was badly affected by drought.