Russia: Grain and Feed Update
FAS Moscow decreased its April 2018 total grain production forecast by 13.8 million metric tons (MMT) to 109.9 MMT based on reports of reduced area and cold and rainy conditions in some regions and dry conditions in other grain producing provinces during spring planting. For major crops, FAS Moscow forecasts: 67.5 MMT of wheat (0.5 MMT higher than the official USDA forecast as of July 2018), 17.5 MMT of barley (0.5 MMT higher than the official USDA forecast), and 12.7 MMT of corn (0.7 MMT higher than the official USDA forecast). FAS Moscow forecasts grain exports in MY 2018/2019 at 45.3 MMT, approximately 7 MMT lower than the estimated grain exports in MY 2017/2018, which are so far the highest grain exports in Russian history. The export forecast for MY 2018/2019 include 35 MMT of wheat, 4.8 MMT of barley, 4.15 MMT of corn, 0.19 MMT of milled rice, and 1.2 MMT of other grains and pulses.