Russia's Agriculture Ministry confirms 2022 grain outlook at no less than 130 mln tonnes

MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - Russia's Agriculture Ministry has confirmed this year's forecast for the grain harvest to be at least 130 million tonnes, First Deputy Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said at the All-Russia Grain Forum on Friday.

"Thus far, we consider our forecast of 130 million tonnes to be solid," Lut said.

"We should export an estimated 50 million tonnes" of grain at this harvest, Lut said, though not ruling out that exports could be "over 50 million tonnes".

As Lut said, during the sowing campaign, "there are certain distortions in the weather" by region. In the center of the country there were frosts as low as minus 3 degrees, and in Siberia there was abnormal heat. "I may not have much experience, but I haven't seen such a dry spell. In a number of Siberian regions, moisture has dropped to 3-7 mm. So there are certain distortions throughout the country - well, maybe except for the south, which is already doing well - weather-wise," she said. "Accordingly, we are worried and nervous, but nevertheless, our forecast so far is 130 million tonnes," Lut said.

"Some regions will stand in for others this year, and in terms of volume we should reach the set figures," she said.

As reported, in mid-May, at a meeting with the government on the agricultural sector, President Vladimir Putin, citing expert estimates, said that grain production this year will amount to 130 million tonnes, including 87 million tonnes of wheat. The wheat harvest may set a record.

In 2021, Russia harvested 121.4 million tonnes of grain, including 76 million tonnes of wheat.