May 30, 2011

Russian grain sowing 7% higher than 2010

Russian farmers sowed wheat on 11.15 million hectares (27.6 million acres) as of May 26, and total grain crop sowing rose to 24 million hectares, up 7% from last year, researcher SovEcon said, citing agriculture ministry figures.

Russia's Central Federal District had accelerated sowing, which helped to reduce a lagging-behind of 2010 values to 35,000 hectares, down from 270,000 hectares 10 days ago, SovEcon said.

Oilseed sowing was done at a record pace, the researcher said. Rapeseed planting exceeded 2010 by 65,000 hectares, mostly in Siberia and the Urals, SovEcon said.