March 6, 2012

In recent years, Russia has significantly raised its output of basic feed crops, soy and corn, according to official statistics.

In 2011 the total gross yield of soy was 1.7 million tonnes, in 2010 this was 1.15 million tonnes, representing a 35% increase.

Market experts announced their forecasts at the recent conference Prospects of development of soy culture in Russia, that soy production in Russia would grow by a factor of five to about 6 million tonnes per year in 2016.

Soy export stands now at about 15-20% of total soy production.

Russia currently exports only about 5,000 tonnes of soy. Imports of soy this year should amount to 850,000 tonnes compared with 1,027,000 tonnes in 2011.

At the same time, it is worth noting that the import of soyoil in 2012 is expected to decline by 30% from the 2011 to 15,000 tonnes.

Corn production in Russia in 2011 amounted to six million tonnes, up by 10% from 2010.

Domestic consumption currently is about 3.5 million tonnes per year, and therefore the country is now actively seeking out new sales markets, because of the great overproduction of this crop.

During the 2008/09 financial year the export of corn was at a record high, reaching 750,000 tonnes, while previously exports never exceeded 100,000 tonnes.

In 2011, Russia exported approximately one million tonnes of corn and it is projected that in the 2012 production figures will increase to 8 million tonnes, while the volume of corn exports could grow by 50% to reach 1.5 million tonnes.