January 27 2006, 09:51 Interfax

Frosts Will Affect Grain and Fruit Harvests in Russian Federation

Moscow. January 25, 2006. INTERFAX

"Frosts will affect grain and fruit harvests in the Russian Federation," Aleksey Gordeev, Minister of Agriculture told journalists.

"I can say for sure that the abnormally long lasting cold weather will negatively influence the grain crops harvest (I mean winter crops), and pome-fruit and stone crops," A. Gordeev stated.

According to his opinion, it is still too early to forecast the 2006 harvest in figures. "We'll carry out the appropriate survey in February and March and then make a detailed conclusion", the Minister pointed out.

Last year 10 million hectares were planted with winter crops in Russia, which were to be harvested in 2006, that is 1.7% less than the previous year. These crops comprise up to 40% of the gross grain harvest.

Russia harvested 78.1 million tons of grain crops in 2005 is consistent with data from the pervious harvest in 2004.