Ministry raises 2018 grain harvest forecast to 100–105 mln tns

VLADIMIR, Aug 21 (PRIME) -- The Agriculture Ministry has raised a forecast for Russia’s grain harvest in 2018 to 100–105 million tonnes in 2018 from around 100 million tonnes, Minister Dmitry Patrushev told reporters on Tuesday.

“I think that this year we will harvest from 100 to 105 million tonnes of grain,” he said.

Wheat harvest is expected at 64.4 million tonnes this year.

In 2017, Russia had a record high grain harvest of 135.4 million tonnes in net weight, including 85.9 million tonnes of wheat.

Patrushev also said there was no reason to introduce an export duty on wheat now.

“So far, there are no prerequisites for imposing an export duty on grain. The current price is not extraordinary. It is important that the exported grain is of high quality so that we do not lose the developed markets.”

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