According to statistics, in 2023 there was both an expansion in production volumes and an increase in exports.
In 2022, the sown area under corn for grain decreased by 3%, compared to 2021, to 101 thousand hectares. However, this year the area under corn has been increased.
Last year, we managed to collect a record corn crop: 15.8 million tons, which is the maximum value for the entire period since 1990. Compared to 2021, the 2022 harvest was 4% higher.
Supplies of imported seeds are growing
According to data for 2022, the volume of imports of corn seeds increased by 25%. A significant part of the supplies comes from France, Romania, Hungary and Serbia.
At the same time, the last two countries are “conditionally friendly” to the Russian Federation, so there is hope that imports from there will continue. By the way, in 2023, import deliveries decreased markedly.
Almost all corn is grown in several regions
The lion’s share of the harvest falls on Krasnodar, Voronezh, Belgorod, Kursk, Saratov and several other regions.
Maize yield in Russia is growing
If we observe this parameter for several decades, we can note a steady increase.
For example, in 2000, the yield of corn was about 24 centners per hectare, in 2010 — about 36 centners, in 2020 — 51 centners, in 2022 a record was set — 60 centners.
There is every reason to believe that this upward trend will continue in the future.
Russia supplies more corn abroad
If we compare 2022 with the previous year, then the export of this crop from Russia decreased by 4%. True, such data are given without taking into account deliveries to several countries, including Iran and the EAEU.
As for 2023, we see that exports have grown significantly: there is an increase of 2.8 times. True, this is largely due to the effect of last year’s low base.
The main importers of Russian corn are Turkey, Iran, China, Korea, Libya and Latvia.
At the same time, 2023 for Russian farmers became a year of a significant increase in export duties on corn, which was the result of a sharp increase in the export of this crop from the country.
Russians began to consume more corn
This crop has never been in high demand in Russia, but in recent years we have also seen an increase in consumption.
Today it is about 1.1 million tons per year. For comparison: 5 years ago there were 900 thousand tons, 10 years ago — 800 thousand.
At the same time, the consumption of corn as feed is also growing: in 2022 this figure was 10.6 million tons, which is a double increase over the past 10 years.
