24 May 2004 07:41
Russia`s grain fields to be increased by 4 million hectares in
2004
MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - The area where grain crops will be sown in Russia in 2004 will be 4 million hectares
larger than last year, Anatoly Mikhalyov, head of the Federal Farming Agency reporting to the Russian Agriculture
Ministry, said at a meeting Monday between Agriculture Minister Alexei Godeyev and members of the agrarian policy
inter-party association of State Duma deputies.
"Including the remaining winter crops by the time harvesting starts, we will have 45.4 million hectares under
grain crops this year, which is 4 million hectares more than last year," he said.
According to information available on Monday, spring crops have been sown on 39 million hectares, Mikhalyov said. Of
that area, grain accounts for 27 million hectares, which is 78.5% of the planned area and is 3.5 million hectares more
than last year, he said.
By the time harvesting begins, grade 3 food wheat will range between 4,000 and 4,200 rubles per tonne; grade 4 food
wheat, between 3,500 and 3,700 rubles per tonne; and food rye, from 3,200 and 3,400 rubles per tonne, he said.
If the grain prices start to fall, we will buy large amounts of grain, Gordeyev said. He confirmed an earlier harvest
forecast of 73 million to 76 million tonnes of grain in 2004 compared to 67.2 million tonnes last year. [RU EUROPE ASIA
GRA EMRG] ap aw
[Interfax] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
