The corn crop may fall 24 percent this year, increasing the need for imported supplies, SovEcon said Monday.
The corn harvest may come to less than 3 million metric tons, compared with 3.96 million tons last year, the researcher said in a statement without being more precise. The nation harvested 6.68 million tons of grain in 2008.
Russia may import more than 2 million tons of corn in the marketing year that started July 1, with most of the deliveries sourced from Ukraine, said Andrei Sizov Jr., SovEcon managing director. Imports from the United States may come to “several hundred thousand tons,” with deliveries unlikely before the start of 2011, he said.
“Traders are starting to look for sources of grain not only for the Russian regions that border on Ukraine, but also” for areas in central and northwestern Russia, SovEcon said on its web site.
Corn prices in Russia exceed 7,000 rubles ($229) a ton and are still rising, according to the researcher.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
