September 10, 2004

Russia Harvested 65 Million MT Grain To September 6

Russia harvested 65 million metric tons of grain to Sept. 6, compared with 47.8 million tons on the same date last year, an agriculture ministry official said from Moscow Thursday.
 
The grain was harvested on 30.7 million hectares, 69% of the total area to be harvested, with an average yield of 2.12 tons a hectare, compared with 1.91 tons/ha last year.
 
The wheat harvest to date was 34.3 million, compared with 19.5 million tons on the same date last year.
 
The agriculture ministry expects a grain harvest of 73-76 million tons.
 
Russia's 2003 grain harvest was 67.2 million tons in clean weight, 22.4% down on 2002.
 
Winter grains were planted to Sept. 6 on 6.5 million hectares, 40% of the planned total area.