**Title: Russia's Grain Harvest Exceeds 21 Million Tons Amid Weather Challenges**
**Barnaul, July 17** – Russian farmers have reported a grain harvest exceeding 21 million tons since the start of 2026, according to Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut. This figure reflects the ongoing harvesting campaign, although the process has faced significant delays attributed to heavy rainfall across various regions.
Minister Lut highlighted that the current harvest is approximately 2.5 million hectares behind schedule. The adverse weather conditions, particularly persistent heavy rains, have not only slowed down the sowing process but have also delayed the harvesting activities. "The Central Federal District is still experiencing heavy rainfall, so everyone there is waiting for conditions to improve before starting the harvest," she stated.
Despite these challenges, Lut expressed optimism regarding the overall harvest volumes. She noted that while the Siberian harvest is expected to be lower this year due to unfavorable conditions, the southern regions of Russia are performing well. "We have already discussed that Siberia's harvest will be somewhat lower this year, given the conditions you can see outside today. But I believe our southern regions, which experienced a downturn last year and are performing very well this year, will make up for it," she said.
The minister emphasized the variability in agricultural performance across the vast country, stating, "This happens every year - some regions underperform while others exceed expectations. We are a large country."
In terms of domestic and international markets, Lut reassured that Russia is meeting its domestic grain demand and possesses strong potential for exports. In the first half of 2026, Russian agricultural exports to China surged by 41%, reaching approximately 5.7 million tons. The top agricultural products exported to China include frozen fish, rapeseed oil, crustaceans, soybeans, and flax seeds, indicating a diverse agricultural export portfolio.
As the harvesting season continues, the focus will remain on improving conditions for farmers and ensuring that the grain harvest can be completed efficiently despite the ongoing weather challenges.