MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain harvest to reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers conclude this season. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev reported that farmers had accumulated over 126 million tonnes by October 2, with about 90% of the planted grain area threshed at that point. The government also projects oilseed production to be around 35 million tonnes for this year. These latest figures position the harvest close to the official full-year estimate.
Throughout the autumn harvest period, the national grain total has shown a consistent increase. By early September, Russia had gathered 113.5 million tonnes, rising to 120 million tonnes by September 18, which included more than 90 million tonnes of wheat. Oilseed output now stands at roughly 15 million tonnes. In addition, farmers operating in the organized sector have harvested nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar volume of vegetables. Officials note that yields across most crop types remain above their 2025 levels.
The Ministry of Economic Development forecasts a slightly higher 2026 grain harvest of about 141.8 million tonnes. According to Rosstat, the 2025 harvest totaled 141.2 million tonnes within its defined territorial coverage. Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut separately mentioned a 2025 total of 144.6 million tonnes during an April government meeting, highlighting it as the country’s third-largest grain harvest. In comparison, Russia produced nearly 130 million tonnes of grain in 2024, providing context for the ongoing season.
Harvest activities progress towards completion
Patrushev emphasized that the pace of harvesting aligns with the government’s current crop expectations. To support this, authorities have maintained several measures during the autumn fieldwork, including allocating approximately 10 billion rubles to subsidize grain transportation from major producing regions. The government has 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 effect for the final stages of the 2026 harvest season.
Winter planting has already covered more than half of the planned area for the upcoming agricultural cycle. Officials have urged regional authorities to monitor planting efforts closely, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously stated that farmers intend to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. They also highlighted the importance of securing machinery, seeds, fertilizers, and other supplies needed during seasonal activities. Farmers continue their preparations while completing the remaining harvest operations for 2026 across grain, oilseed, vegetable, and potato-producing regions.
Recent output levels remain notably high
In recent years, Russia’s grain production has remained near historically high levels. The country harvested around 143 million tonnes in 2023, and in 2022, it reached a record 157.676 million tonnes. The current forecast of about 140 million tonnes is below both of these totals but still exceeds the nearly 130 million tonnes gathered in 2024. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been issued, as harvesting continues in some regions, and the overall total will depend on reports from the remaining areas.
The broader 2026 crop campaign encompasses oilseeds, vegetables, and potatoes. Officials expect oilseed production to hit approximately 35 million tonnes for the year. As regions finish seasonal field operations, harvesting of vegetables and potatoes continues. Meanwhile, farmers are expanding winter planting for the upcoming cycle. The Russian government has yet to release a definitive national grain total, but current projections estimate about 140 million tonnes for 2026, with the latest reported harvest already surpassing 126 million tonnes.