Russia to boost apple harvest to nearly 2.1 mln tonnes in 2026 - Agriculture Ministry

MOSCOW. Sept 4 (Interfax) - Russia's Agriculture Ministry forecasts that the apple harvest in the organized sector should rise to nearly 2.1 million tonnes in 2026 from 2 million tonnes in 2025.

"Horticulture in Russia has maintained a stable, positive trend in recent years. Apple production rose to a record 2 million tonnes in 2025 from 1.8 million tonnes in 2024 despite unfavorable weather conditions in some regions. Self-sufficiency in the fruit increased to 85.5%, and the figure should be 100% by 2028," according to the report.

Moreover, the apple harvest in the organized sector has increased 1.7-fold over the past five years from 1.2 million tonnes in 2020.

The Agriculture Ministry believes that one factor behind the trend is government support measures, including those aimed at establishing and maintaining perennial crops under the state agricultural development program. Since the program began, 176,300 hectares of perennial fruit and berry crops, including nurseries, have been established, with 113,700 hectares, or 64.5%, being intensive orchards.