Wheat acreage in Russia set to hit lowest level in 12 years – forecast
SovEcon cut Russia’s 2026 wheat production forecast to 88.9 million tons from 90.3 million due to reduced planting area, the lowest since 2014. Despite lower output, stronger production in southern export regions could boost early-season exports. Total grain forecasts were reduced, while barley estimates increased.
SovEcon has lowered its wheat production forecast for Russia in 2026 to 88.9 million tons, down from a May estimate of 90.3 million tons, Finmarket reported.
Analysts said the revision followed a reduction in estimated planting areas.
“The total wheat acreage is now estimated at 25.8 million hectares compared with 26.4 million hectares earlier and 26.9 million hectares in 2025. This will be the lowest total wheat area since 2014, when Russia planted 25.2 million hectares,” the report said.
The overall decline is driven by spring wheat, whose area is now estimated at 9.9 million hectares compared with 10.5 million hectares previously. Winter wheat acreage remains unchanged at 15.9 million hectares.
SovEcon head Andrey Sizov said grain output will decline, but for exports the regional structure is more important.
“We forecast a sharp increase in production in the south, Russia’s main export region, to 37.4 million tons from 31.9 million tons last year. This should improve wheat availability for exports early in the season and may increase pressure on the global wheat market even with a smaller overall crop,” he said.
The company also lowered its total grain and legume production forecast in Russia for this year to 135.2 million tons from 137.4 million tons. At the same time, the barley forecast was raised to 18.8 million tons from 18.3 million tons, while the corn estimate was left unchanged at 14.6 million tons.
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Source : APK Inform
