MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain harvest will amount to approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers wind down the season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev reported that farmers had collected over 126 million tonnes by October 2. At that point, around 90% of the planted grain area had been threshed. The government also forecasts oilseed production to reach roughly 35 million tonnes this year. These latest figures bring the harvest close to the official full-year projection.
Throughout the autumn harvest period, the national grain total has steadily increased. By early September, Russia had harvested 113.5 million tonnes, rising to 120 million tonnes by September 18, with over 90 million tonnes of wheat included in that figure. Oilseed output has now hit about 15 million tonnes. In addition, farmers in organized sectors have gathered nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a comparable volume of vegetables. Authorities have stated that yields across most crop categories remain above their 2025 levels.
The Ministry of Economic Development projects a slightly higher 2026 grain crop, estimating around 141.8 million tonnes. Rosstat’s data shows a harvest of 141.2 million tonnes in 2025, based on its defined territorial coverage. Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut also cited a 2025 total of 144.6 million tonnes during a government meeting in April, highlighting it as the country’s third-largest grain harvest. As a recent comparison, Russia produced nearly 130 million tonnes of grain in 2024, providing context for the current season.
Harvest efforts nearing completion
Patrushev indicated that the current pace of harvesting supports the government’s expectations for the crop. Throughout the autumn season, the Russian government has maintained several support measures. Authorities allocated about 10 billion rubles to subsidize grain transportation from major producing regions. The government also suspended grain export duty payments through the end of 2026 and capped export duties on vegetable oil and meal at August levels. These policies remain in place as the harvest enters its final stages for 2026.
Winter sowing has already covered more than half of the planned area for the upcoming agricultural cycle. Officials have urged regional authorities to closely monitor planting, particularly for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry earlier reported that farmers intend to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Additionally, officials emphasized the importance of machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies during this seasonal work. Farmers continue preparing while completing the remaining 2026 harvest of grains, oilseeds, vegetables, and potatoes across relevant regions.
Production levels remain high compared to recent years
Recently, Russia’s grain output has remained near historically elevated levels. In 2023, the country harvested approximately 143 million tonnes. The record was set in 2022 with a yield of 157.676 million tonnes. The current forecast of about 140 million tonnes is below these totals but still exceeds the nearly 130 million tonnes collected in 2024. As harvesting continues in some regions, officials have yet to finalize the 2026 total. The ultimate national figure will depend on reports from the remaining harvest areas.
The broader 2026 crop season also encompasses oilseeds, vegetables, and potatoes. Officials expect oilseed production to reach around 35 million tonnes for the entire year. Vegetable and potato harvesting are ongoing as regions conclude seasonal field work. Simultaneously, farmers are expanding winter planting for the upcoming cycle. The Russian government has not yet announced an official final grain total, but its current projection remains about 140 million tonnes for 2026, with the latest reported harvest already exceeding 126 million tonnes.