Decrease in the forecast for the barley harvest

The forecast of the barley harvest this year will decrease compared to previous years due to adverse weather conditions. The Institute of Agricultural Market Studies (ICAR) has adjusted its estimates, reducing the forecast by 0.4 million tons to 16.8 million tons. The analytical company ProSerno also lowered its forecast from 17.5 to 17.15 million tons of barley. The total gross grain harvest was also revised downward — 3.5 million tons less than previously expected and will amount to 125 million tons.

Abnormal weather conditions have become one of the factors reducing yields: rains in the Volga region and the Urals, drought in the south and spring frosts. This led to a decrease in export potential forecasts, including for wheat — by 0.5 million tons, to 44 million tons, and for grain as a whole — by 2 million tons, to 53 million tons.

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Agriculture maintains the forecast of the total grain harvest at 132 million tons.