MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain output to reach approximately 140 million tonnes as the harvest nears its conclusion. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev stated that farmers have already gathered over 126 million tonnes of grain, with about 90% of the cultivated area threshed by October 2. Furthermore, officials project the country will harvest around 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
These latest figures represent an increase from early September, when Russia had collected 113.5 million tonnes of grain. Oilseed collection has now reached approximately 15 million tonnes. Additionally, farmers in the organized sector have harvested nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar volume of vegetables. Officials noted that yields across most crop categories are surpassing their 2025 levels as fieldwork continues in various regions.
Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development has issued a slightly higher forecast for 2026 grain production, estimating around 141.8 million tonnes. Rosstat’s data indicated a 2025 harvest of 141.2 million tonnes based on its territorial calculations. During an April government meeting, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut reported a total of 144.6 million tonnes for 2025, calling it the third-largest grain harvest in the nation’s history. Russia’s 2024 harvest was nearly 130 million tonnes.
Harvesting phase reaches final stretch
Patrushev commented that the current pace of harvesting aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. The Russian authorities have maintained support measures for farmers throughout the autumn fieldwork, allocating roughly 10 billion rubles to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing areas. They 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 the government, winter sowing has now covered more than half of the planned area. Officials have urged regional authorities to monitor planting progress closely, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry earlier reported that farmers intended to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Ensuring that farms remain equipped with machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other resources needed for seasonal work has also been emphasized.
Recent harvests stay near peak levels
Russia’s recent grain yields remain substantial by historical standards, with about 143 million tonnes produced in 2023 and a record 157.676 million tonnes in 2022. The current forecast of 140 million tonnes falls below those totals but remains above the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 figure has yet to be announced, as harvesting is still ongoing in several regions.
This campaign also highlights the broader scope of Russia’s agricultural output. Along with grain, the government expects oilseed production to reach approximately 35 million tonnes in 2026. Farmers are also continuing to gather vegetables and potatoes as regional harvests conclude. Meanwhile, officials are progressing with winter planting for the upcoming cycle, even as farmers finish the current year’s harvest. The government’s official projection for grain remains at 140 million tonnes, pending final figures.