As of May 18, 2011, agrarians of the Russian Federation sowed spring agricultural crops throughout the areas of 27.4 mln ha (54.4% of the planned areas), an increase of 3 mln ha compared to the last year, declared the press-cutting service of the Ministry of Agriculture. Spring grains sowings occupied the areas of 16.4 mln ha (54.2% of the plan), up 2 mln ha compared to 2010 results.

In 2011, all categories of agricultural enterprises plan to realize spring sowing of agricultural crops throughout the areas of 50.4 mln ha, including spring grains and leguminous plants – 30.2 mln ha.

The Central Federal District sowed spring agricultural crops throughout the areas of 3.4 mln ha (84.1% of the plan), up 271 thsd ha compared to 2010 results. Agrarians of the Southern District sowed spring crops throughout nearly 1.8 mln ha (72.2%), the North Caucasian District – 323 thsd ha (48%), the Volga District – 5.7 mln ha (65.7%), the Northwestern District – 176.4 thsd ha (78.8%), up 60.3 thsd ha compared to the same date of the last year. The Urals and Siberian Federal Districts sowed spring crops throughout the areas of 1.2 mln ha (33%) and 3.6 mln ha (35.4%), respectively. Agrarians of the Far Eastern Federal District sowed spring crops throughout the areas of 256.7 thsd ha (60.1% of the forecast), up 54.8 thsd ha compared to 2010.

Agrarians continued sowing maize for grain, the general areas totaled 1096.8 thsd ha (58.3% of the planned areas). Agricultural commodity producers sowed rice throughout the areas of 82.2 thsd ha (40.1%).

Russia also continued sunflower sowing works – over 4.6 mln ha (67.4%), up 309.1 thsd ha compared to 2010. Agrarians of the country sowed spring rapeseed throughout 417.6 thsd ha (63.6% of the forecast), up 68.9 thsd ha. Agrarians sowed soybean throughout 242.4 thsd ha (17.5%), down 45.8 thsd ha.

As of May 17, the Federal Districts of Russia already provided additional fertilizing throughout over 11.2 mln ha of winter crops sowing areas, or 73% of the general winter sowing areas – 15.5 mln ha.

The general condition of winter crops sowings in Russia is estimated as good.

Source from AgrimarketInfo