Russia: Grain crop estimated at 80 mln tonnes, winter barley output to total 1.5 mln tonnes vs. 1.7 mln last year

SovEcon, Russia’s agriculture news agency, estimates the 2011 grain crop in Russia at 80 mln tonnes which would be significantly above the drought reduced 2010 output of 61 mln tonnes but below the 94 mln tonnes harvested in 2009, Reuters reported on March, 17.

The estimate is below the one of the Russian Grain Union of 85 mln tonnes and the one of the Russian Agricultural Ministry of 85-87 mln tonnes.

SovEcon sees the winter grain output in 2011 at 36.2 including 32.2 (previous year: 28.2) mln tonnes of winter wheat, 1.5 (1.7) mln tonnes of winter barley and 2.4 (1.6) mln t of rye.

The area to be sown with spring grains is expected to grow to 30-31 mln ha from the 28 mln ha seeded one year earlier. This should result in a spring grain production of 45-49 mln tonnes, SovEcon said.

23 March, 2011