MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain harvest will reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers enter the final phase of the season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev indicated that farmers have already gathered over 126 million tonnes of grain. As of October 2, they had threshed roughly 90% of the cultivated area. Additionally, officials project the country will produce about 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
These latest figures mark an increase from early September, when Russia had harvested 113.5 million tonnes of grain. Oilseed collection has now climbed to nearly 15 million tonnes. In the organized sector, farmers have also harvested close to 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar volume of vegetables. Russian authorities have stated that yields across most crop types are outperforming their 2025 benchmarks as field operations progress in key producing regions.
The Ministry of Economic Development in Russia has issued a slightly elevated forecast for the 2026 grain harvest, estimating around 141.8 million tonnes. Meanwhile, Rosstat’s data from 2025 indicates a harvest of 141.2 million tonnes on its designated territorial basis. 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 the nation’s history. Russia’s 2024 harvest was nearly 130 million tonnes.
Harvest season enters its concluding phase
Patrushev highlighted that the current harvesting pace aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. Support measures for farmers during the autumn fieldwork remain in place, with about 10 billion rubles allocated to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing regions. The government also extended the suspension of grain export duties through the end of 2026 and maintained export duty caps on vegetable oil and meal at August levels.
According to officials, winter sowing has surpassed half of the planned area. Authorities have urged regional officials to monitor planting activities closely, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously announced plans to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Ensuring farms are equipped with machinery, seeds, fertilizers, and other necessary resources remains a priority as they prepare for seasonal planting.
Recent grain harvests stay near record levels
Russia’s recent grain harvests continue to be substantial by historic standards. In 2023, the country produced approximately 143 million tonnes of grain, while the 2022 harvest set a record at 157.676 million tonnes. The current forecast of 140 million tonnes sits below these figures but remains above the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 grain total has not yet been announced, as harvesting is still underway in several regions.
The ongoing campaign also highlights the scale of Russia’s broader crop production. In addition to grain, the government expects oilseed output to reach about 35 million tonnes in 2026. Farmers continue gathering vegetables and potatoes as regional harvesting activities conclude. Meanwhile, officials are advancing winter planting efforts for the upcoming agricultural cycle, even as they finalize the 2026 harvest. The official projection remains at 140 million tonnes for now, pending the completion of harvest activities.