According to the latest data, October was the month during which agricultural production in the Russian Federation decreased by 12%.
If we compare this October with September, the volume of agricultural production in the country fell by 33%, and if with October last year, then by 12%. In general, over the past 10 months, the industry fell by 4%.
This is explained, in particular, by the fact that the production of the main types of products in the country fell compared to previous periods.
For example, the grain harvest was 12% less than last year, sunflower and sugar beet — 5% less, potatoes — 13%, vegetables — 2%.
This is due to both the high base of last year and unfavorable weather conditions, among which experts especially note the late May frosts and drought in a number of regions.
At the same time, not all areas of agriculture are experiencing a decline compared to last year; in some sectors, we can even see growth.
For example, in the first 10 months of the current year, 3% more livestock and poultry for meat were produced than a year ago, milk production increased by almost 1%, while egg production decreased by 1%.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Agriculture expects that, overall, by the end of the year, Russian agriculture will be able to show, if not growth, then at least a result at the level of average long-term values.
“Despite the extremely difficult weather conditions of the current year, it is expected that, in general, thanks to the use of modern technologies by farmers, the harvest of the main agricultural crops will not be lower than the average long-term values.
The volumes of production of grain, oilseeds, and sugar beets fully provide for the domestic market and maintain the export potential for raw materials and processed products.
About 1.7 million tons of fruits and berries will be obtained by the end of the year, which is higher than the average for the past five years,” the department notes.
Therefore, in general, it can be considered that this year’s harvest was decent, especially considering all the difficulties that producers had to face.
In addition, a reserve is currently being formed to ensure a good harvest next year.
In particular, farmers are now continuing winter sowing. The area under winter crops this season should be approximately the same as in the previous one.
If the weather conditions are more favorable to farmers and we do not see any extreme events, such as late frosts, then it is very likely that even with comparable areas, the harvest next season may be significantly higher than this one.
