April 12, 2006

Russia plants spring grains at double-quick time

Planting of Russian spring grains is proceeding quickly with 819,500 hectares planted to April 10, compared with 407,700 hectares on the same date last year, according to the agriculture ministry Wednesday (Apr 12).

Russia plans to plant spring grains on 34 million hectares, including areas where winter grains were damaged by frosts.

The total grain planted area in 2006 will remain unchanged at 44 million hectares.

Russia harvested 78.1 million tonnes of grain in 2005, unchanged from 2004.