August 16, 2007

Russia harvests 43 million tonnes grain to Aug 13
 

Russia harvested 43 million tonnes of grain to Aug 13, which is 10.2 million tonnes more than on the same date last year, the agriculture ministry reported Thursday (Aug 16).

The harvesting campaign began earlier this year due to hot weather.

The grain was harvested on 17 million hectares, 37.4 percent of the planned total area, with an average yield of 2.56 tonnes/hectare, compared with 2.58 tonnes/hectare last year.

Russia is harvesting its grain at the rate of 8 million tonnes a week.

The agriculture ministry said it expects Russia's grain harvest this year at about 78 million tonnes, with an export potential of 10 million tonnes.

In 2006, Russia's grain harvest was 78.4 million tonnes.