Autumn harvest nearly complete

Harvest of autumn grain is nearly 90% complete according to the most recent data from the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The output of summer-harvest grains is estimated at 147.4 million tons, an increase of 1.4 million tons compared to last year.

The Ministry also said the amount of area engaged in strip planting exceeded 1 million hectares. Over the past year, the government has been pushing for farmers to plant alternative strips of soybeans and corn as a way to increase oilseed output without significantly reducing corn planted area. 

Winter wheat planting is progressing quickly with over 80% of the crop planted while 70% of winter rapeseed has been sown.