MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates that its 2026 grain harvest will approximate 140 million tonnes as farmers reach the final stages of the season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev noted that farmers had already gathered over 126 million tonnes of grain. By October 2, approximately 90% of the cultivated grain area had been threshed. Officials also project that the country will harvest around 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
The latest data shows an increase from early September when Russia had already harvested 113.5 million tonnes of grain. Oilseed collection has now reached roughly 15 million tonnes. In the organized sector, farmers have also collected nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar amount of vegetables. Russian officials stated that yields across most crop types are exceeding their 2025 levels as harvesting activities continue across various regions.
Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development has provided a slightly higher forecast of about 141.8 million tonnes for the 2026 grain harvest. According to Rosstat, the 2025 harvest was 141.2 million tonnes based on its territorial data. During an April government meeting, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut reported a total of 144.6 million tonnes for 2025, describing it as the third-largest grain harvest in the country’s history. The 2024 harvest was nearly 130 million tonnes.
Harvesting enters its concluding phase
Patrushev commented that the current harvesting pace aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. Support measures for farmers during the autumn fieldwork have been maintained, with about 10 billion rubles allocated to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing regions. Additionally, the government suspended grain export duties through the end of 2026 and kept export tariffs on vegetable oil and meal at August levels.
According to the government, winter planting has now covered more than half of the planned area. Authorities have been asked to monitor planting progress closely, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously stated farmers intended to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Emphasis has also been placed on ensuring farms are well supplied with machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other necessary resources for seasonal activities.
Recent grain yields remain near record levels
The size of Russia’s recent grain harvests continues to be significant historically. In 2023, the country produced around 143 million tonnes of grain, while the 2022 harvest reached a record 157.676 million tonnes. The current forecast of 140 million tonnes falls below these totals but remains higher than the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 grain figure has not been announced yet, as harvesting is still ongoing in several key regions.
This campaign also underscores the broader scope of Russia’s crop production. Alongside grain, the government expects oilseed output to reach approximately 35 million tonnes in 2026. Farmers continue harvesting vegetables and potatoes as regional work completes. Officials are also progressing with winter planting for the upcoming season while farmers finish the remaining 2026 harvest. The government has not yet finalized the total grain projection, but the 140 million-tonne estimate remains its current outlook.