March 18, 2005

Russia's 2005 grain planted area seen at 46.8 million hectares

Russia will plant grain this year on 46.8 million hectares, 3.1 million ha more than in 2004, according to the figures released by the agriculture ministry on Thursday.

Winter grains have been planted on 14 million ha, up from 11.4 million ha in the previous season.

Spring grain will be planted on 32.8 million ha, compared with 32.3 million ha in 2004.

The ministry said grain harvest this year should be 75-80 million tonnes.

Russia's 2004 grain harvest was 77.6 million tonnes in clean weight, 15.5 percent more than in 2003.