Russian Drought Damage Affects 3.3 Million Hectares
According to the Russian Agricultural Ministry 3.3 million hectares of the nation's spring crops have been badly damaged by drought.
A state of emergency has been declared in several regions along the Volga River and southern Urals, it says.
Hot and dry conditions over the last few months are seen cutting yields in these areas quite sharply.
Despite an increase in wheat planted area of almost 8% to 28.75 million hectares, production this year is seen lower at around 55-60 MMT from 63.7 MMT in 2008.
A state of emergency has been declared in several regions along the Volga River and southern Urals, it says.
Hot and dry conditions over the last few months are seen cutting yields in these areas quite sharply.
Despite an increase in wheat planted area of almost 8% to 28.75 million hectares, production this year is seen lower at around 55-60 MMT from 63.7 MMT in 2008.