November 15, 2010

Russia reaps almost 64 million tonnes grain

Russia harvested nearly 63.7 million tonnes of grain (bunker weight) by Tuesday, (Nov 9), with total productivity averaging about 19.2 centners per hectare.

Practically, all the Russian regions have completed the grain harvest. Rice has to be gathered on a space of 7,000 hectares and corn for grain from 164 hectares, local news reports.

According to the Russian Agriculture Ministry, the gross wheat harvest has totalled 43.5 million tonnes, barley 8.9 million tonnes, corn for grain over 2.7 million tonnes, rice 1.1 million tonnes, buckwheat 371 thousand tonnes. Fodder conservation for the livestock industry has nearly been completed in all the Russian territories, 16 million tonnes of forage laid in Russia.

The Russian Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said in October the grain harvest in Russia was estimated at 63.5-64 million tonnes in bunker weight, 60.5 million tonnes net weight. Counting the reserves of 26.3 million tonnes the grain resources are to total 87 million tonnes.