UPDATE 2:Russian ministry expects to harvest 104-105 mln tns of grain 2016

(adds details in paragraphs 4, 5)

MOSCOW, Jan 27 (PRIME) -- The Russian Agriculture Ministry expects the country’s grain forecast to stand at 104–105 million tonnes in 2016, slightly above 2015 harvest of 104 million tonnes, two ministry officials said Wednesday at an international trade expo.

“The figure is 104 (million tonnes), and we have to fulfill it, this is our goal,” Pyotr Chekmaryov, a department director at the ministry, said. But the final result will depend on how the crops survive winter hibernation, he added.

First Deputy Agriculture Minister Yevgeny Gromyko said that Russian farmers should harvest at least 105 million tonnes of grain this year.

In the 2015-2016 agricultural year, which started on July 1, 2015, Russia exported 20.496 million tonnes of grain as of December 30, down 2.4% on the year. In the 2014-2015 agricultural year, the country exported over 30 million tonnes of grain.

The Agriculture Ministry expects Russia to export 30 million tonnes of grain in the current agricultural year and to boost exports to almost 33 million tonnes in the 2016-2017 agricultural year.

In the 2015-2016 agricultural year, which started on July 1, 2015, Russia exported 20.496 million tonnes of grain as of December 30, down 2.4% on the year. In the 2014-2015 agricultural year, the country exported over 30 million tonnes of grain.

Chekmaryov said the ministry will be able to make the first real forecast, when winter crops grow, as it will understand their preservation. Winter crops account for 45% of gross grain harvest on average, he said. “We will make a second forecast as soon as we finish sowing. We will see whether we have sown all areas and what cultures were sown,” he said.

This year’s weather is better than last year as more snow means less chances of frost-killing, he added.

End