MOSCOW, RUSSIA / RankWire.AI / – Russia anticipates its 2026 grain harvest to reach approximately 140 million tonnes as farmers finalize this season’s activities. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev reported that farmers had collected more than 126 million tonnes by October 2. By that date, around 90% of the cultivated grain area had been threshed. The government additionally projects oilseed output to total roughly 35 million tonnes in 2026. These latest figures place the harvest close to the official annual target.
The national grain accumulation has shown a consistent increase throughout the autumn harvest period. Russia had gathered 113.5 million tonnes by early September and increased this to 120 million tonnes by September 18, with more than 90 million tonnes of wheat included in that total. Oilseed production now stands at about 15 million tonnes. In the organized farming sector, nearly 4.5 million tonnes of potatoes and a similar volume of vegetables have also been harvested. Authorities noted that yields across most crop categories remain above their 2025 levels.
The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has estimated a slightly higher 2026 grain harvest at approximately 141.8 million tonnes. Rosstat’s data shows a 2025 harvest of 141.2 million tonnes within its territorial scope. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut referenced a 2025 total of 144.6 million tonnes at an April government session, identifying it as the third-largest grain harvest in the country’s history. Russia’s grain output in 2024 approached 130 million tonnes, providing a recent comparison for the current season.
Harvest activities nearing completion
Patrushev indicated that the current pace of harvesting aligns with the government’s expectations for crop yields. During the autumn fieldwork, several support measures have been maintained. About 10 billion rubles have been allocated to subsidize grain transportation from major producing regions. Export duty payments on grain have been suspended until the end of 2026, and export duties on vegetable oil and meal are capped at August levels. These policies continue to underpin the final stages of the 2026 harvest campaign.
More than half of the planned area for winter sowing has already been planted, with officials urging regional authorities to closely monitor the process, especially for winter grains. The Agriculture Ministry previously announced farmers’ intentions to sow over 19 million hectares with winter crops. Additionally, officials highlighted the importance of machinery, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies to support seasonal planting efforts. Farmers are still preparing for the remaining harvest of 2026 across the grain, oilseed, vegetable, and potato sectors.
Recent standards remain high for crop yields
In recent years, Russia’s grain production has stayed near historically high levels. The country produced about 143 million tonnes in 2023 and set a record with 157.676 million tonnes in 2022. The forecast for 2026, around 140 million tonnes, remains below both those totals but above the nearly 130 million tonnes harvested in 2024. Since some regions are still completing their harvests, the final official figure for 2026 has not yet been issued. The ultimate national total will depend on completed reports from remaining harvesting areas.
The overall 2026 crop includes not only grains but also oilseeds, vegetables, and potatoes. Oilseed production is expected to reach about 35 million tonnes for the full year. Meanwhile, vegetable and potato harvesting continues as regions complete seasonal field operations. Simultaneously, farmers are expanding winter planting for the upcoming cycle. The Russian government has yet to publish a definitive grain total, but its current national projection remains about 140 million tonnes for 2026, with the latest reported harvest already surpassing 126 million tonnes.