October 6, 2005

Russia expects significant fall in 2006 grain output
 

Russia's grain output for 2006 might be significantly reduced by this year's autumn drought, the country's government said.

The government expressed concern that the autumn drought caused difficulties to winter crops planting, as water reserves in the fields were small. This in turn significantly increased the risk of farming and might greatly reduce grain output in 2006.

Meanwhile, the government expected grain output for 2005 to be at least 78 million tonnes. Except for minor areas in Siberia, the early grains harvest was virtually completed.