This year, the sunflower harvest in Russia will increase by 8,4 percent to 15,8 million Tonnen compared to 17,25 million tons in 2023, predicts ProZerno CEO Vladimir Petrichenko. In his opinion, the decline in production will be caused by a decrease in cultivated areas and a deterioration in yields due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The sowing area for Sunflowers is 9,7 million this year Hektar, in contrast to almost 2023 million hectares in 9,9.
Vladimir Petrichenko also expects that soy production could increase to 6,824 million tons this year from 7,2 million tons last year. The area planted with this crop has increased from 3,7 million hectares in 2023 to 4,23 million hectares. However, soy yields are expected to be lower.
Due to the expansion of the cultivated area, the rapeseed harvest will increase from 4,203 million tonnes last year to 4,3 million tonnes, even if yields decline slightly. The rapeseed cultivation area has increased from 2,1 million hectares to 2,3 million hectares.
The oil linseed (flax rudder) harvest is also expected to increase this year and could reach 1,27 million tons, up from 1,153 million tons in 2023. This will be achieved by expanding the cultivated area to 1,51 million hectares and increasing yields . At the same time, Petrichenko pointed out that these forecasts are still approximate, as the data on crops is still being refined.
According to Mikhail Maltsev, Executive Director of the Russian Oil and Fats Union, the forecast for the total oilseed harvest is more than 29 million tons. The weather conditions at the end of April and May have already made their adjustments, and taking into account the re-sowing of sunflower and Soybeans instead of volunteer grain, the seed harvest is expected to be at about the same level as last year, while Rapeseeds, soybeans and linseed, the total increase over last season will be about 0,6 million tonnes.
Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)