Good outlook for crop yields in Russia, despite weather extremes

Yield expectations for spring cereals are average.

Wet conditions hampered the harvesting of both winter and spring cereals, raising concerns about grain quality.

The yield outlook for grain maize is above the 5-year average and last year’s level.

Favourable conditions sustained high yields in most parts of European Russia, but grain quality is a concern

In European Russia, mild temperatures and adequate rainfall sustained a high yield potential for winter and spring cereals in southern and south-western regions. Persistent rainfall deficit and high temperatures compromised spring and winter crops in large parts of the Volga okrug. Overly wet conditions in July hampered the harvest and decreased grain quality for winter wheat in western regions.

Grain maize in western regions benefited from favourable conditions during flowering and early grain filling. Hot and dry conditions in August negatively affected yield potential, but the overall yield outlook is positive.

Rainfall deficit followed by overly wet conditions resulted in below-average yield outlook and grain quality concerns for spring cereals in Asian Russia

In Asian Russia, where winter cereals and grain maize are of minor significance, a persistent rainfall deficit in eastern parts of the Ural okrug and western Siberia negatively affected biomass accumulation and early grain filling in spring cereals.

Other parts of Asian Russia experienced more seasonal weather conditions. However, frequent and abundant rains hampered (and continue to hamper) the harvest in numerous regions.

Further information

• JRC MARS (Monitoring Agricultural Resources) Bulletins
• JRC AGRI4CAST Toolbox
• The latest information about global agricultural production hotspots for countries at risk of food insecurity is available on the JRC’s ASAP (Anomaly hot Spots of Agricultural Production).