April 1, 2008

Russia's 2008 grain yield to hit 85 million tonnes

Russia expects its grain yield this year to increase by 3 million tonnes compared to last year's figures, aiming to hit 85 million tonnes in total, minister of agriculture, Alexey Gordeev said.

The minister said the area under winter crops totals 16 million hectares, up 2 million ha against 2007, the largest acreage in 10 years.

Furthermore, spring crops would be sowed at the area of 49 million ha this year, up 400,000 ha as compared to 2007.

Gordeev also noted that the spring sowing campaign started by 10-12 days earlier than in the recent years.

Russia's winter crops have been reported in good state, which is 40 percent of the total harvest.