Russia has harvested 95.3 million tonnes of grain by bunker weight as of September 15, 21.3 million tonnes more than a year ago, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. The ministry said in a statement grains had been harvested from 36.1 million hectares, or 78.3 percent of the sown area.
Russia officially expects to harvest at least 95 million tonnes of grain this year by clean weight, up from 81.8 million in 2007. But analysts believe the crop may be higher and some say it may exceed 100 million tonnes. Bunker weight is normally about 7-8 percent higher than clean weight, obtained after grain has been cleaned and dried, but the difference may be lower in hot and dry years.