According to the latest data, the barley harvest this season may increase by about 1 million tons and amount to about 17 million tons.
On the one hand, the forecast for grain this year cannot be called too optimistic, experts warn.
For example, spring crops fell by 1.8 million hectares compared to 2024, which will inevitably lead to a decrease in the total harvest. It is expected that this season it will amount to about 134 million tons, wheat — about 83 million tons.
At the same time, positive developments are possible for certain crops.
For example, this concerns barley. Its harvest compared to last year may increase by 1 million tons, experts emphasize.
Moreover, it has almost already become equal in price to wheat. Currently, a ton of barley costs about $ 200. A further increase in prices may stimulate increased interest in this crop on the part of Russian farmers and exporters.
Wheat prices as of early July 2025 are at around $226 per ton. This is slightly higher than a year ago, but further growth is still doubtful.
First of all, due to the fact that demand on the world market currently remains lower than supply. Importing countries expect that producers will soon have a high harvest, which will lead to attractive price offers from them.
At the same time, Russia will likely retain its current buyers, such as Turkey, Egypt and Iran.
In addition, Pakistan, to which there were no grain deliveries last season, may join them in the coming months.
As for barley, this crop really has prospects for price growth, analysts are sure. Several years ago, it became so expensive that it even overtook wheat.
It is possible that we may see a repeat of this scenario in the short term.
However, in the long term, the growth will most likely stop, giving way to a new decline, experts warn. This is due to the fact that the barley rate will most likely follow the general grain trend on the world market.
And there, after the harvest in most producing countries, a new decline should be expected.
In addition, corn may become an interesting crop for producers this season, of which about 15 million tons are expected to be collected in Russia.
About 7 million tons of legumes may be collected this season, which is 1.7 million tons more than last year. Such a high yield opens up broad prospects for exporters to supply these products abroad.
