MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain yield to reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers enter the final phase of the harvest season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev noted that farmers have already gathered over 126 million tonnes of grain. By October 2, around 90% of the cultivated grain area had been threshed. Officials also project that the country will harvest roughly 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
These latest estimates are higher than those recorded in early September, when Russia’s harvest stood at 113.5 million tonnes. The collection of oilseeds has now reached about 15 million tonnes. Additionally, farmers in the organized sector have harvested nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes along with a similar volume of vegetables. Russian officials indicated that yields across most crop categories are exceeding their 2025 averages as field work continues across various producing regions.
The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has released a slightly more optimistic forecast for 2026, estimating around 141.8 million tonnes of grain. According to Rosstat, the 2025 harvest was recorded at 141.2 million tonnes on its defined territorial basis. During an April government session, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut reported a total of 144.6 million tonnes for 2025, describing it as the third-largest grain harvest in the nation’s history. Russia’s 2024 grain harvest was nearly 130 million tonnes.
Progress in Final Harvest Stage
Patrushev emphasized that current harvesting momentum aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. Support measures for farmers remain in place during the autumn planting season, with about 10 billion rubles allocated to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing areas. Furthermore, grain export duty payments have been suspended through the end of 2026, and export duties on vegetable oil and meal are capped at August levels.
According to officials, winter sowing has exceeded the halfway mark for the planned area. Regional authorities have been urged to monitor planting progress closely, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously stated that farmers intend to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Ensuring farms are equipped with machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other necessary resources remains a priority for officials as they oversee seasonal fieldwork.
Recent Harvests Maintain High Levels
In recent years, Russia’s grain harvests have continued to be substantial by historical standards. The country produced approximately 143 million tonnes in 2023, and the record-setting harvest reached 157.676 million tonnes in 2022. The current forecast of 140 million tonnes is below these totals but still above the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 figure remains unannounced, as harvesting is ongoing in several regions.
This year’s crop outlook also reflects Russia’s broader agricultural production scope. Along with grain, oilseed output is expected to reach about 35 million tonnes in 2026. Farmers continue harvesting vegetables and potatoes, completing seasonal field work across regions. Meanwhile, preparations for winter planting are underway for the upcoming agricultural cycle, alongside ongoing harvest activities. The government’s current projection for the 2026 grain harvest remains at 140 million tonnes, pending final confirmation.