Rosstat clarified the data on the acreage under the main crops as of August 1. From them, in particular, it follows that the area under cereals and legumes this year decreased by 2% – from almost 48 million hectares to 47 with a little million hectares.
The area under wheat was 2.4% less than last year: 28.7 million hectares against 29.4 million hectares. The area under winter wheat was about 15.6 million hectares, that is, 7.5% less than last year (16.9 million hectares). Spring wheat was sown on 13.1 million hectares – 4.5% more than last year (12.6 million hectares).
Exactly the same figures were given by the state agency as of June 1, 2021 (published at the end of July). In early August, it turned out that the Ministry of Agriculture has data on wheat areas by 1 million hectares more. The Ministry explained this difference by the fact that after June 1, the sowing of winter crops that died due to bad weather still continued. And since the Ministry of Agriculture counted the area on July 1, he took into account the re-sowing, so the total area under wheat was more than 1 million hectares. The ministry reported that together with Rosstat, they are clarifying data on areas.
Previous data from Rosstat became the basis for a sharp reduction in the forecast of the USDA for the Russian wheat harvest – by 12.5 million tons at once, from 85 million to 72.5 million tons (excluding Crimea). This, in turn, led to an increase in both world and domestic wheat prices.
Russian industry experts pointed to an inadequately low USDA estimate. And the Russian Ministry of Agriculture in mid-August confirmed its May forecast for the grain harvest – 127.4 million tons, including 81 million tons. The next USDA forecast is expected on September 10.
