Russia’s Agriculture Ministry has maintained its forecast for a total grain harvest of 135 million tonnes in 2025, despite challenging weather conditions in several regions. Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut made the announcement during the opening of the 12th Russian Ploughing Championship in the Leningrad Region, praising the professionalism of the country’s farmers.
“The weather has been presenting surprises. There has been pouring rain in the central area and the Volga Federal District, and we have a very complicated situation with a drought in the southern area,” Lut said. She stressed that these conditions have complicated the harvesting campaign but expressed confidence that the target can be met.
Currently, about 40% of Russia’s arable land has been harvested, yielding over 60 million tonnes of grain. The ministry noted that harvesting of other crops is also progressing steadily. Wheat production is expected to reach 90 million tonnes in 2025, highlighting the crop’s continued importance for domestic use and exports.
For context, Russia harvested 125.9 million tonnes of grain in 2024, excluding newly annexed regions, with wheat contributing 82.6 million tonnes. Including the new regions, the total harvest was estimated at 129.8 million tonnes.
Despite heavy rains in some areas and drought in others, Lut emphasized the country’s agricultural expertise and infrastructure as key factors in meeting the 2025 targets. The outcome of this season will play a critical role in Russia’s grain market and its position as a major global exporter.
