Russia to harvest 123 mln tns of grain, 75 mln tns of wheat in 2020

BRYANSK, Jul 10 (PRIME) – Russia will produce 122.5 million tonnes of grain in 2020, including up to 75 million tonnes of wheat, Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev told reporters on Friday.

"Results of the spring campaign and the current state of sowing allow us to forecast quite a large grain harvest this year, about 122.5 million tonnes, including up to 75 million tonnes of wheat," Patrushev said, adding that a drought seen in some regions has not become a matter of concern.

He said that the grain stabilization fund that might be established in Russia is seen at 2.3–3.5 million tonnes and purchases to the fund can start no earlier than next season. The purchases will be made in small batches, Patrushev said.

The minister also said that grain exports from Russia in the 2019–2020 agricultural year that ended on June 30 amounted to 41.7 million tonnes, according to preliminary data. Wheat exports stood at 33.2 million tonnes.

The figures do not include trade with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union in May and June, Patrushev said. Exports to these states amounted to at least 43 million tonnes, according to the minister.

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