July 10, 2012

Russia produces 8.3 million tonnes grain to July 9

With the average yield of 2.59 tonnes a hectare, Russia harvested 8.3 million tonnes of grain to July 9 on 3.2 million hectares, or 7.1% of the total area to be harvested, the Agriculture Ministry reported Monday (July 9).

The ministry didn't give last year's figures for comparison, but according to its past reports Russia harvested 4.6 million tonnes of grain to July 12, 2011, on 1.1 million hectares with the average yield of 4.2 tonnes a hectare.

Russia's grain harvest this year began 10 days earlier than normal because crops have matured faster in the current hot weather.

Wheat harvest to date was 7.4 million tonnes on 2.8 million hectares, with the average yield of 2.61 tonnes a hectare. Barley harvest was 521,000 tonnes on 161,000 hectares, with the average yield of 3.24 tonnes a hectare.

The ministry expects the country's grain harvest this year to fall to 85 million tonnes from 94.2 million tonnes in 2011 because of damage by unusually severe frosts in winter and the current drought.

Russia's domestic grain consumption in the 2012-13 marketing year is estimated at 72.7 million tonnes and, including the grain left over from the previous marketing year, the country's grain export potential is expected to be 20 million tonnes.