Russian grain yield in current year lower than in preceding year - AgMin

MOSCOW. July 20 (Interfax) - Grain yields in Russia this year are lower than last year, Roman Nekrasov, director of the Crop Production Department of the Russian Agriculture Ministry, said at the "Where's the Margin 2023" summer conference in Moscow on Thursday.

"This year's yields are below last year's record level. But to repeat records twice is a very complicated procedure. Especially since we need to stabilize the market a bit and increase yields," he said.

He did not disclose yield figures.

As reported, last year it amounted to 32.3 c/ha from sown area.

According to the head of the department, the harvesting campaign in those constituent subjects where the weather permits is proceeding smoothly. To date, more than 21 million tonnes of grain have been harvested. "We have managed to generally maintain the structure of sown areas," Nekrasov said.

According to his presentation, total sown area in Russia this year amounted to 82.1 million hectares compared with 82 million hectares last year. The area under grains and leguminous crops increased to 47.7 million hectares from 47.5 million hectares. In particular, spring grain crops increased to 29.986 million hectares from 29.135 million hectares, including wheat - to 13 million hectares from 12.774 million hectares a year earlier. Sowing of corn for grain increased to 2.935 million hectares from 2.841 million hectares, spring barley - to 7.69 million hectares from 7.314 million hectares, buckwheat - to 1.15 million hectares from 1.125 million hectares, rice - to 178,100 hectares from 176,600 hectares.

Sowing of winter crops for grain for the current year's harvest decreased to 17.775 million hectares from 18.377 million hectares, including wheat - to 16.044 million hectares from 16.693 million hectares a year ago.

These data do not take into account figures for new Russian regions.

Farmers this year managed not only to increase sown areas, but "also to provide the entire necessary technological norm on mineral fertilizers, on plant protection products, to use quality seeds," Nekrasov said. "And today we hope for good weather, which will allow us bring in a decent harvest," he said. "I can say with confidence that this year's harvest will allow us to fulfill the indicators of the food security doctrine and provide a decent export potential," he said.

As reported, the Agriculture Ministry this year is forecasting a grain harvest of 123 million tonnes, including 78 million tonnes of wheat. Last year, 157.7 million tonnes of grain were harvested, including 104.2 million tonnes of wheat.

Export potential in the current farming year (July 2023-June 2024) is estimated at up to 55 million tonnes (60 million tonnes in the past farming year).