Russia’s Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev was received by Vladimir Putin and briefed the President on the overall situation in national agriculture, presidential webpage reports.
According to the Minister, agricultural output increased by 2.5% in 2017. As for 2018, “In August, production dropped 11%, with another drop of 6% in September. However, there will be an increase of 1% for the whole year.”
“Despite the unfavorable weather, the crop yields were quite good and up 11% compared to the average annual yield over the past five years,” he added, noting that “With this crop harvest, we will be able to meet not only the domestic demand. According to the estimates, the export potential for grain will be 39 mio tons, including 34 mio tons of wheat. Agricultural exports, as we expect, will total about $26 bln by the yearend.”
Commenting on the market situation, Dmitry Patrushev said that “Wholesale prices of bread made from rye-flour and a mixture of rye and wheat flour are at the 2017 level. Wholesale milk prices are also comparable to those of the previous year.”