MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain harvest to reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers enter the final phase of the season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev noted that harvesters had already gathered over 126 million tonnes of grain, with about 90% of the cultivated area threshed by October 2. Additionally, officials forecast the country will harvest roughly 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
These recent figures show an increase from early September, when Russia had already harvested 113.5 million tonnes of grain. Oilseed collection has now reached around 15 million tonnes. In the organized farming sector, nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar quantity of vegetables have been harvested. Russian authorities stated that yields across most crop types are exceeding their 2025 levels as fieldwork progresses in various producing regions.
The Ministry of Economic Development has issued a slightly elevated forecast for the 2026 grain harvest, estimating about 141.8 million tonnes. Rosstat’s data indicates a 2025 harvest of 141.2 million tonnes based on its territorial measurement. 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 Russia’s history. In 2024, Russia harvested nearly 130 million tonnes of grain.
Harvesting Campaign Approaching Completion
Patrushev commented that the current harvesting pace aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. The Russian government continues to support agricultural producers during the autumn season, allocating around 10 billion rubles to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing regions. The authorities have also suspended grain export duties through the end of 2026 and kept export tariffs on vegetable oil and meal at August levels.
According to officials, winter sowing has surpassed the halfway mark of the planned area. Authorities have urged regional officials to carefully monitor planting progress, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously announced plans to sow more than 19 million hectares with winter crops. Emphasis has been placed on ensuring farms are stocked with machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other resources necessary for seasonal work.
Grain Production Remains Near Peak Levels
Recent Russian grain harvests have stayed high by historical standards, with about 143 million tonnes produced in 2023. The 2022 harvest set a record at 157.676 million tonnes. The current forecast of 140 million tonnes is below those totals but still above the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 grain figure has not been announced, as harvesting continues in several regions.
The ongoing campaign also highlights the scale of Russia’s broader crop output. Besides grain, the government expects oilseed production to reach around 35 million tonnes in 2026. Farmers are still harvesting vegetables and potatoes as regions complete seasonal planting. Meanwhile, officials are advancing winter planting for the next cycle, even as farmers finish the remaining 2026 harvest. The government’s current projection remains at roughly 140 million tonnes for the total grain yield, pending final figures.