May 23, 2013

Russia's soybean area to reach record 1.5 million hectares

Russian soy planting area is forecast to reach a record 1.5 million hectares - matching that of Ukraine - by 2014, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

The Ros Agro Group announced on Tuesday that it has increased its sowings of soybeans by 129% to 28,000 hectares. It also revealed that it had increased its acreage of corn by 82%.

Black Earth Farming, one of the largest private owners of Russian farmland, is expecting to plant over 19,300 hectares with soy this year, continuing its steady increase from its first seedlings in 2010.

The shift into oilseed - at the expense of peas and sugar beet, of which plantings has tumbled by 50% and 30% respectively - reflects a change in climate around the central Russian area, where many of the country's agricultural companies farm.

Ros Agros company spokesman, Sergei Tribunsky, said, "Whether it is down to a permanent change in climate or a few lucky years, things have been better for growing soybeans."

"New knowledge and new machinery has [also] made soybeans easier to grow," he said.

However, Russian growers are frustrated that they are unable to use genetically modified seeds, which allow rival North and South American farmers to achieve larger yields, equivalent to 3 tonnes per hectare.