April 4, 2012
Russia's 2012 grain harvest may reach 100 million tonnes
Over 1.6 million tonnes of grains have been exported by Russia in March and expects 100 million tonnes of grain harvest this year.
This forecast is based on a positive estimate of the current condition of winter crops and active preparations for the spring campaign. Zlochevsky estimated damage to the winter crops at 6% or less than one hectare (two acres), which is lower than the usual annual average damage.
According to preliminary estimate, Russia exported over 1.6 million tonnes of grain in March and is expected to export the same amounts of grain in April and May 2012, head of the Russian Grain Union Arkady Zlochevsky said at the Moscow-Astana-Kiev videoconference focused on the preparations for the spring sowing season.
Grain exports could reach 26 million tonnes by the end of the current agricultural year, June 30, 2012, Zlochevsky said. This would be the highest figure in Russian history, he noted.
