June 29, 2009
Russia 2009 winter wheat harvest seen lower than in 2008
Russia is likely to harvest 37 million-40 million tonnes of winter wheat this year compared with 42.7 million tonnes in 2008 because of adverse weather conditions, the Federal Weather Centre said Friday (June 26).
Frost and sharp changes of air temperature in April-May resulted in expected average yields this year of 2.9-3.1 tonnes a hectare compared with 3.39 tonnes per hectare in 2008.
The weather centre also said average winter rye yields would fall this year to 1.8-2 tonnes a hectare from 2.12 tonnes a hectare in 2008 and that the winter rye harvest could fall by 400,000 tonnes from the 4.5 million tonnes harvested last year.
