October 6, 2011

Russia's grain output to increase 58% this year

Russia's grain production is expected to rise by 58% on year to about 95 million tonnes this year, according to the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (Oct 5).

In July, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov revised up Russia's projected grain harvest in 2011 by 6% to 90 million tonnes.

Of the total grain output, the wheat harvest is expected to increase around 43% on year to 60 million tonnes in 2011, Putin said.

As of Wednesday, the country's grain harvest amounted to 90 million tonnes, up around 50% on the year, Putin also added.

Separately, Putin said that Russian agricultural producers have to be oriented on supplies of their product on the domestic market. Specifically, only grain surpluses could be supplied for exports, he added.

In 2010, the country's grain harvest fell 35% on the year to 60 million tonnes due to a prolonged drought, Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said earlier.