August 6 2002, 10:57

Russia: area under sunflower increased 7.6% in 2002

In 2002 sown areas under sunflower amounted to 4.089 million hectares, being expanded by 288,300 hectares or 7.6 percent against 2001, especially in regions with traditionally high yield of sunflower.

Sunflower development conditions have been considered satisfactory in the majority of this crop growing regions. It allows forecasting sunflower yield in 2002 close to the average 5-year level.

Total this year's sunflower crop can be projected at 3.5 million tons, 33 percent up from past year's.