Russian AgMin expecting grain harvest of 137 mln tonnes in 2025 - PM Mishustin

MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax) - The Agriculture Ministry is expecting Russia's grain harvest to total 137 million tonnes this year, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a government meeting on Thursday.

He said that the harvest forecasts were also high for other crops.

Mishustin clarified that the current grain harvest would be the third largest in the past six years. "This will help fully supply both the domestic market and our business partners from friendly countries for international deliveries. We have seen significant results in soybeans, rapeseed, and potatoes, very good results. Moreover, yields of these crops are significantly higher than last year, largely owing to developing farming technologies, as well as utilizing crop protection products, mineral fertilizer, and a range of customs and tariff policy instruments on the part of agricultural producers, which are having a beneficial effect," he said.

Mishustin noted that winter crop sowing proceeded on schedule this year, without any significant weather surprises. "This allows us to forecast positive harvest trends next year. We also expect an increase in the use of domestically bred seeds," he said.

Mishustin also emphasized that despite the completion of agricultural work for the current year, "we must continue to monitor prices for all commodities sensitive to farmers," such as fuel, machinery, and others.

After hearing Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut's report on the preliminary harvest results, Mishustin requested special attention be paid to financing agricultural producers. "We must monitor needs closely, ensure everything necessary, and allocate funds to the Agriculture Ministry at the beginning of the financial year, so that all resources allocated in the federal budget are delivered to recipients in a timely manner, and farmers may confidently prepare for the next season and the spring fieldwork," Mishustin emphasized.