MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain yield to reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers enter the concluding phase of the harvest season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev indicated that farmers had already gathered more than 126 million tonnes of grain by October 2, with nearly 90% of the planted area threshed. Additionally, officials expect the nation to harvest roughly 35 million tonnes of oilseeds this year.
These latest statistics show an increase from early September, when the harvest stood at 113.5 million tonnes. Oilseed collection has now reached around 15 million tonnes. Farmers operating within organized sectors have also collected nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar volume of vegetables. Russian authorities noted that yields in most crop categories are surpassing their 2025 levels as fieldwork continues in key producing regions.
The Ministry of Economic Development has issued a slightly higher forecast for 2026 grain production at approximately 141.8 million tonnes. According to Rosstat, the 2025 harvest totaled 141.2 million tonnes based on its territorial data. At an April government meeting, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut reported a 2025 total of 144.6 million tonnes, describing it as the third-largest grain harvest in Russia’s history. In 2024, Russia harvested nearly 130 million tonnes of grain.
Harvesting Approaches Final Stages
Patrushev stated that the current harvest pace aligns with the government’s expectations for major crops. The Russian government continues to support agricultural producers during the autumn fieldwork, allocating about 10 billion rubles to subsidize transportation from key grain-producing regions. Moreover, the export duty on grain has been suspended through the end of 2026, and duties on vegetable oil and meal are capped at August levels.
According to officials, winter sowing has already covered more than half of the planned area. Authorities have urged regional officials to closely monitor planting progress, with a focus on winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry earlier reported plans to sow more than 19 million hectares with winter crops, emphasizing the importance of ensuring farms are well-equipped with machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other necessary resources for seasonal work.
Recent Grain Harvests Remain Near Historical Highs
The size of Russia’s recent grain harvests remains 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 falls below those totals but remains above the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. The final 2026 grain figure has not yet been announced, as harvest operations are still ongoing in several regions.
This campaign also highlights the broader scope of Russia’s crop production, with oilseed output expected to reach about 35 million tonnes in 2026. Farmers continue harvesting vegetables and potatoes, completing seasonal fieldwork across different regions. Meanwhile, officials are progressing with winter planting for the upcoming agricultural cycle as farmers finish the remaining 2026 harvest. The government’s current projection for the grain total remains at around 140 million tonnes, with no final figure announced yet.