Russia's 2010 winter grain forecast close to analysts' estimates

Russian Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said Russia may harvest around 45 million tonnes of winter grain next year, close to analysts' expectations and 2009 estimates.

Skrynnik declined to give a forecast for the total 2010 crop, including winter and spring grain, saying it may be ready only in May 2010.

Winter grain crop in Russia accounts for about 45 percent of the total crop.

Leading agricultural analyst group SovEcon expects Russia to harvest 90-98 million tonnes of grain next year, compared to its 2009 estimation of 96.5 million tonnes to 97.5 million tonnes. Of this, winter grain crop may account for 43-48 million tonnes, close to the 2009 harvest, SovEcon said.

Russia is projected to have harvested 93 million tonnes of grain in 2009, down from 108 million tonnes last year, which leaves the federation with an exportable surplus of 19-20 million tonnes for the 2009-10 crop year that started in July.