MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates that its 2026 grain yield will reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers enter the final phase of the harvest season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev indicated that producers have already gathered over 126 million tonnes of grain, with about 90% of the sown area harvested by October 2. Additionally, officials project the country will harvest around 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
These figures are higher than those reported in early September, when Russia had harvested 113.5 million tonnes of grain. Oilseed collection has now reached roughly 15 million tonnes. Farmers operating within the organized sector have also collected nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar amount of vegetables. Russian authorities stated that yields across most crop types are surpassing their 2025 benchmarks as fieldwork continues across various producing regions.
The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has issued a slightly elevated forecast for the 2026 grain harvest, estimating around 141.8 million tonnes. Rosstat’s data shows a 2025 harvest of 141.2 million tonnes based on its territorial calculations. During a government meeting in April, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut reported a 2025 total of 144.6 million tonnes, describing it as the third-largest grain harvest in the nation’s history. Russia’s grain harvest in 2024 was nearly 130 million tonnes.
Harvest efforts reach final phase
Patrushev noted that the current harvesting pace aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. The Russian government continues to support farmers during the autumn harvest, allocating about 10 billion rubles to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing areas. It also suspended grain export duty payments through the end of 2026 and kept export duties on vegetable oil and meal at August levels.
According to government reports, winter sowing has already exceeded half of the planned area. Authorities have urged regional officials to monitor planting progress closely, especially regarding winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously announced plans for farmers to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Officials emphasize the importance of maintaining supplies of machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other essential resources for seasonal planting.
Grain production remains near recent records
Recent Russian grain harvests have continued to be substantial by historical standards, with about 143 million tonnes produced in 2023. The record harvest was 157.676 million tonnes in 2022. The current forecast of 140 million tonnes is below both those totals but remains above the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 grain figure has yet to be announced as harvesting persists in multiple regions.
This season’s harvest also highlights 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 concludes for the season. Officials are also progressing with winter planting for the upcoming cycle, even as harvest operations for 2026 continue. The official projection for the 2026 grain total remains at 140 million tonnes, pending final data.