October 14, 2005

Russia might see lower grain exports in 2006

Russia might see lower grain exports in 2006, due to the recent drought that hit several regions in the country, experts said.

International Grain Company (IGC) said Russia's winter crop harvest might fall by five to 10 million tonnes, compared with the current season. But final conclusions could only be made in January next year when the survival rate of winter crops could be assessed, the company added. 

Industry reports said that some farmers in southern Russia decided not to sow winter crops at all in 2005, due to low moisture levels in the ground.

According to the Agrarian Market Trends Institute, Russian grain exports since July 2005 reached 4.5 million tonnes, including 3.8 million tonnes of wheat.

IGC forecast Russian grain exports for the 2005 agricultural year to reach 12 million tonnes.