Drought in Russia's Rostov region not seen affecting total crop forecast, agriculture ministry says

Drought in the Rostov region, Russia's top wheat and grain producing region in 2024, does not affect the overall grain harvest in Russia, the state RIA news agency quoted Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut as saying on Friday.

Lut was also quoted as saying that the harvesting campaign, which kicked off in Russia last month, was proceeding slower than last year due to heavy rains in central regions.

Lut reiterated the 2025 grain crop forecast of 135 million metric tons and the wheat crop forecast of about 90 million tons.