Russia could see record corn harvest in 2015 - Rusagrotrans
MOSCOW. July 8 (Interfax) - Russia could harvest a record 12 million-12.5 million tonnes of corn in 2015, against 11.8 million tonnes last year, the Rusagrotrans analytical center forecast.
"Corn crops in the south are in good condition after the recent rains which allow for the forecast growth in crop yield as well as the absolute record crop levels," the Rusagrotrans strategic marketing deputy director, Igor Pavensky, told Interfax.
Pavensky said 60% of corn in Russia comes from the southern regions, and the North Caucasus regions.
Additionally the corn crop area this year has increased 0.1 million hectares to 2.8 million hectares, he said.
Pavensky also said that the drought which struck some regions of the country will play a role in reducing the harvest though these are mainly winter crops. In this regard he forecasts harvests of winter crops at 44.2 million tonnes against 47.8 million tonnes last year. Spring grain crops are also forecast to decrease to 53.8 million tonnes against 57.5 million tonnes last year.
The average grain harvest will decrease to 21 centners per hectare from 22.8 centners per hectare last year, the expert said.
As a whole, the grain harvest this year according to the estimate by Rusagrotrans will amount to 98 million tonnes. This includes a drop in wheat production to 56.6 million tonnes against 59.7 million tonnes last year and 16.9 million tonnes of barley against 20.4 million tonnes last year.
