State of emergency has been declared in Russia’s largest grain-producing region due to drought

Russia’s Rostov region, the country’s largest grain producer, has declared a state of emergency in some areas hit by drought, the regional governor said.

The state of emergency, which allows farmers to claim compensation for losses, is also a signal to markets about the outlook for this year’s harvest.

“This year, farmers have had to work in extremely adverse weather conditions. Today we are declaring a state of emergency in some areas of the region due to drought,” governor Yuri Slyusar said.

The region has also been hit by spring frosts, although they were less severe than last year, when the region’s grain harvest was reduced by more than a fifth due to adverse weather. Harvesting in the region is due to begin in the second half of June.

According to Deputy Prime Minister for Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev, this year’s grain harvest in Russia will reach 135 million tons, compared to last year’s 130 million tons.

Tags: drought, Russia