November 8, 2004

Russia Corn Harvest Down On Year

Russia's year-to-date grain and legume harvest, excluding corn, rose to 66.48 million metric tons as of Tuesday from 59.7 million tons in the same period last year, Russia's Grain Union said Friday, the news agency Prime-Tass reported.

The Grain Union includes the country's major grain producers and millers.

Grain and legumes were taken from 33.12 million hectares, up from 31.42 million hectares. The yield amounted to 2.02 tons per hectare, compared with 1.91 tons per hectare a year ago.

Wheat was taken from 18.38 million hectares, up from 16.61 million hectares in the same period last year. The wheat harvest was at 38.82 million tons in the period, up from 29.99 million tons in the same period last year. The yield was at 2.11 tons per hectare, up from 1.81 tons per hectare on the year.

Millet was taken from 670,560 hectares, up from 495,300 hectares a year ago. The millet harvest was at 832,210 tons, up from 735,080 tons on the year, and yield fell to 1.24 tons per hectare from 1.48 tons per hectare a year ago.

Buckwheat was taken from 615,740 hectares, up from 422,600 hectares on the year. The buckwheat harvest rose to 545,910 tons from 397,980 tons, and yield fell to 0.89 tons per hectare from 0.94 tons per hectare.

Rice was taken from 116,320 hectares, up from 111,940 hectares a year ago. The rice harvest increased to 493,350 tons from 433,990 tons on the year, and the yield rose to 4.24 tons per hectare from 3.88 tons per hectare in the same period last year.

Corn was taken from 272,020 hectares, up from 222,500 hectares on the year. The corn harvest rose to 1.233 million tons from 971,080 tons on the year, and the yield stood at 4.53 tons, up from 3.59 tons per hectare a year ago.