Russia: Grain supply and demand estimate for 2008/09

The US agricultural attaché estimates Russia’s wheat production in 2008/09 at 54.0 mln t which is above the 49.4 mln t in 2007/08. This is due to an expected higher harvested area of 25.5 (24.5) mln ha and higher yields of 2.1 (2.0) t/ha. Exports may increase to 12.5 (12.0) mln t, feed use should reach 16.0 (15.4) mln t and other use 23.0 (22.8) mln t. Ending stocks may therefore recover enormously to 6.1 (2.6) mln t.

Barley production is also projected to rise to 17.5 (15.7) mln t due to possible higher yields of 1.8 (1.6) t/ha, although the harvested acreage should reach only 9.6 (9.8) mln ha. Exports are expected at 1.3 (1.0) mln t, feed use at 11.3 (10.7) mln t, and other use at an unchanged 4.6 mln t. Ending stocks can thus recover to 1.3 mln (776,000) t.

Corn output is forecast at 6.8 (4.0) mln t on a higher harvested area of 1.8 (1.3) mln ha and due to higher yields of 3.8 (3.0) t/ha. Exports may rise to 200,000 (50,000) t, feed use to 4.2 (3.4) mln t, while other use is stable at 600,000 t. Thus ending stocks should increase significantly to 2.1 mln (225,000) t.

Rye production is estimated at 4.0 (3.9) mln t, the harvested area at 2.3 (2.1) mln ha, yields at 1.7 (1.9) t/ha, exports at 75,000 (0) mln t, total consumption at 3.7 (3.9) mln t, and ending stocks of 351,000 (76,000) t.