March 15, 2006

One-fifth of Russia's winter grain crops affected by frost

The unusually severe frosts in January and insufficient snow cover have resulted in Russian winter grains being damaged on 2.5-2.8 million hectares, or 18 percent-20 percent of the total planted area, according to the national weather centre Rosgidromet Wednesday (March 15).

Rosgidromet said most damage occurred in the Central, Volga and Southern regions of Russia, where snow cover was as low as 2-7 centimetres, which saw soil temperature fall in January to as low as minus 17-19 deg C.

This estimate is lower that the one given by Agriculture Minister Alexey Gordeyev on Feb 20, when he said winter grain had been destroyed on 30 percent of the planted area.

Gordeyev said the damaged winter crops would have to be replanted with spring crops in order to compensate for the damage done by frost.

Russia's 2005 grain harvest was 78.1 million tonnes in clean weight, little changed from 2004.

Winter grains, which will be harvested in 2006, were planted on 10.8 million hectares, 1.7 percent less than a year ago.