IKAR in Mass and Industry Media

Russian grain crop at risk from dry weather in May

Reuters

MOSCOW, April 29 (Reuters) - Expected hot and dry weather in May will increase risks to the grain crop in Russia, which needs a good harvest after last year's drought, data from the state weather forecaster showed on Monday.

Russia lost a quarter of its grain crop due to drought mainly during the second half of May and early June 2012. It needs to replenish stocks as it strives to return as a major wheat exporter this year.

Temperatures will be above normal levels in all leading grain regions during May, a map produced by the State Hydrometeorology Agency showed.

Precipitation will be in line with the seasonal average in all key regions, excluding a part of Russia's Volga region where it is expected to be above the average.

"This is sad, because Russia's Southern region needs hefty rains during coming weeks," Dmitry Rylko, head of the Institute for Agricultural Market Studies (IKAR), told Reuters.

The Russian Agriculture ministry raised its 2013 grain harvest forecast to 95 million tonnes in April from a previously expected 92 million tonnes. It did not specify the reason for the upgrade. The country harvested 71 million tonnes of grain in 2012.

29.04.13

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