According to the latest data from Rosstat, the area under grain crops is currently decreasing, while that under oilseeds is increasing.
Russian farmers are seeing a shift in interest from grain crops to oilseeds, which is explained by the higher marginality of the latter’s production.
Rosstat reports that the area under grain and leguminous crops decreased by 5% in 2025 compared to 2024.
As a result, they amounted to about 44 million hectares. Of these, about 30 million hectares are occupied by wheat, 7 million hectares by barley, 3 million hectares by corn, and 450 thousand hectares by rye. Its area has decreased especially noticeably: by 32%.
Similarly, the area under buckwheat has decreased by a third. This year, about 750 thousand hectares were sown with it.
The areas under millet and rice have slightly decreased, while the area under oats has slightly increased.
The area under grain legumes has increased by about 5%, excluding peas, which, on the contrary, demonstrates negative dynamics.
As for oilseeds, their areas have increased by 12%, to 21 million hectares.
Including 11 million hectares of sunflower, which has shown a significant increase of 13%. Soybeans are lagging far behind — 4 million hectares, rapeseed — 3 million hectares, flax — 2 million hectares.
Potatoes and other vegetables this season occupied about 1.5 million hectares. This is almost the same as in the previous season.
Including, the area occupied by sugar beets has increased by 3%. Currently, they amount to about 1.2 million hectares.
The area under potatoes has decreased by 2%, and currently this crop occupies about 1 million hectares in the country.
Vegetables and melons have demonstrated a weak negative trend: their sowings have decreased by about 2% compared to the previous year.
Rosstat also reports that in general, the sowing areas in Russia have fallen by about 1% this year and amounted to about 79 million hectares. A year ago, this figure was 80 million hectares.
The Ministry of Agriculture notes that this year, spring grains should have occupied about 29 million hectares, which means a reduction in areas, and winter crops — about 19 million hectares (on the contrary, growth), oilseeds — 20 million hectares (also growth).
In general, the structure of sowing areas approved by the ministry is currently being observed. However, experts warn that falling grain prices could further reduce farmers’ motivation to produce it.
