18 Nov 2009 14:17

Russia

MOSCOW. Nov 18 (Interfax) - Russia's grain harvest at the start of November came to 101.3 million tonnes in bunker weight, which is 11.1 million (9.9%) less than in the same period of 2008, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) said on Wednesday.

Rosstat said on Wednesday that agricultural enterprises had harvested 89.9 million tonnes of grain (88.5 million tonnes harvested on the same date in 2008), farmers - 21.5 million tonnes (23.1 million tonnes) and household farms - 900,000 tonnes (same level).

At the start of November, grain was threshed for 80% of sowed territory (against 95% on November 1, 2008). This figure for corn came to 59.8% (76%).

According to Rosstat, the sunflower harvest came to 5.9 million tonnes, down from 6.8 million tonnes at the start of November (down 13.4%), sugar beet - 22.5 million tonnes down from 25.9 million tonnes (13.1%), potato harvest - 30.3 million tonnes up from 28.3 million tonnes (7.1%) and vegetables - 12.4 million up from 12.2 million tonnes (1.8%).

Sugar beet had been harvest from 89% of sowed territory (down from 91.2%), sunflower - 80.6% (90.6%), potatoes - 98.7% (99%) and vegetables - 95.9% (95%).

As in previous years, the bulk of grain (77.9%), sugar beet (88.8%) and sunflower (70.7)% has been grown by agricultural enterprises while the majority of potatoes (82%)and vegetables (72.2%) were produced at household farms. Farms accounted for 21.2% of grain harvest, as well as 28.9% of sunflower, which is roughly equal to the level of last year.

The Agriculture Ministry has forecast that the harvest in net weight for 2009 will reach up to 93 million tonnes, down from 108.1 million tonnes last year.