“Topsoil moisture reserves are very low and in many regions wheat is entering the winter in the worst shape in recent years,” SovEcon analyst Andrey Sizov said in an email. | Reuters photo

Russian wheat exports to fall amid crop woes

Analysts forecast 80.1 million tonnes of production next year, down from the five-year average of 88.1 million tonnes

SASKATOON — Early indications are that Russia may harvest another disappointing wheat crop in 2025. SovEcon is forecasting 80.1 million tonnes of production, down from 81.5 million tonnes this year and the five-year average of 88.1 million tonnes. Related stories: Total wheat area is forecast to remain unchanged at about 70 million acres, with winter […] Read more

Russian farmers have only managed to seed 20.8 million acres of winter wheat, which is 11 per cent behind last year and the slowest pace in 11 years, according to SovEcon analyst Andrey Sizov. | Getty Images

Dryness delays winter wheat seeding in Russia

Poor soil moisture and limited rainfall mean the crop could enter dormancy in poor shape, resulting in lower yields

SASKATOON — Winter wheat planting is progressing slowly in the world’s largest exporting region. Russian farmers have only managed to seed 20.8 million acres of the crop, which is 11 per cent behind last year and the slowest pace in 11 years, according to SovEcon analyst Andrey Sizov. Related stories: Ukraine’s growers have planted 2.4 […] Read more



Flax acreage is expected to be up in Russia, although there are no official numbers yet, said Sergey Pluzhnikov, head of the pulses desk with DM Agro Trade and founder of Russian Pulses Analytics. | File photo

Black Sea region expected to produce more flax

The crop is faring better than others in Russia's drought-hit regions, and acreage is anticipated to be higher than last year

SASKATOON — Black Sea flax growers are hoping for a rebound year. Acreage is expected to be up in Russia, although there are no official numbers yet, said Sergey Pluzhnikov, head of sales for Temporia Capital Company and founder of Russian Pulses Analytics. Related stories: Russian farmers planted 3.46 million acres of the oilseed last […] Read more

The latest approvals are particularly notable in that they include a wheat type that has been gene edited to be resistant to the fungal disease powdery mildew.
 | File photo

China hopes GM crops will increase grain self-sufficiency

China’s government approved genetically modified wheat and corn varieties for domestic cultivation last week, marking a step forward in becoming a global advocate for crop genetic modification. In only a few years China shifted from a cautious approach to GMOs to solid support, with potential implications for the country’s self-sufficiency and for global attitudes about […] Read more


"The bottom line is, it comes back to Russia. Are they going to be able to have a big enough crop again this year to dominate world exports and hold prices down, or not?" DTN lead analyst Todd Hultman said during a recent webinar. "That's going to be the key." |  Reuters photo

Wheat price outlook hinges on Russia

The market has already begun to respond as dry conditions and now frost significantly threaten production this year

SASKATOON — The 2024-25 wheat market outlook hinges on one key question. “The bottom line is, it comes back to Russia. Are they going to be able to have a big enough crop again this year to dominate world exports and hold prices down, or not?” DTN lead analyst Todd Hultman said during a recent […] Read more

The Black Sea region has dryness and geopolitical concerns, the European Union's crop is being slashed due to excessive moisture and ratings for the U.S. winter wheat crop are tumbling. | Reuters photo

All eyes on Russian weather as wheat rebound

Russia is experiencing a rough transition from El Nino to La Nina, which could significantly bite into yields this year

SASKATOON — Wheat futures have gained back much of the ground they lost since the start of the year in the last couple of weeks. And there could be further appreciation on the horizon if World Weather Inc.’s forecast for Russia proves accurate. Related stories: There is a tendency for ridge-building in parts of Russia […] Read more