Russia’s wheat planting pace remains the slowest since 2018

Russia’s spring wheat planting campaign continues to lag behind last year’s pace due to persistent rainfall across key grain-producing regions. Excessively wet soil conditions have hampered fieldwork and raised concerns about the upcoming harvest.

As of May 26, Russian farmers had planted approximately 7.1 million hectares of spring wheat, down 12% from the same period a year earlier. Although the gap has narrowed compared to early May, the pace of sowing remains the slowest since 2018.

According to Russian meteorological data, rainfall in the Volga region and Siberia—two major spring wheat-producing areas—has exceeded seasonal norms by 60% to 118%. As a result, some fields remain too wet for machinery and planting operations.

Analysts warn that continued wet weather could lead to a reduction in planted acreage, lower yields due to delayed sowing, and increased disease pressure later in the growing season. A stronger ruble has also become a challenge for producers by reducing the profitability of grain exports.

Spring wheat accounts for nearly one-third of Russia’s total wheat production, making the planting delays a concern for global grain markets. However, industry representatives note that part of the potential losses could be offset by a strong winter wheat crop if favorable weather conditions persist through grain filling and harvest.

Tags: Russia, wheat