Drought Devastation: Southern Russia Faces Up to 25% Crop Loss Amid Severe Conditions

Farmers in southern Russia might lose as much as 25% of their major crops due to worsening drought situations in the country’s top agricultural areas, as reported by the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia, referencing the Narodny Farmer association.

The Rostov and Krasnodar regions, which are historically among Russia’s most fertile farming locations, have seen their yields decrease from about 62 centners per hectare last year to only 46 centners this season.

“Yields in these areas have currently dropped by 25%,” said Konstantin Yurov, deputy chairman of Narodny Farmer, in an interview with Izvestia.

Emergency states have been declared in 30 districts—21 in Rostov and nine in Krasnodar—due to extreme weather wreaking havoc on crops like wheat, barley, corn, and sunflowers.

Yurov cautioned that crops such as corn and sunflowers “will be nearly absent” in the regions most affected.

Officials in Krasnodar project that losses in grain, cereal, and legume crops could reach as high as 2.8 million tons. Yurov noted that numerous farms might not endure the year due to extensive crop failures and escalating financial pressures.

In response, lawmakers in the State Duma are drafting proposals for federal agricultural subsidies.

“The ministry must act quickly to implement support measures aimed at stabilizing the situation and preventing bankruptcies within the agricultural sector,” stated Sergei Lisovsky, deputy chairman of the Duma’s Safeguarding Competition Committee. He pointed out that even farms that were previously stable are now compelled to sell.

Regional leaders reflected these worries.

Acting Governor of Rostov, Yuri Slyusar, has downgraded the region’s harvest estimate from 11 million tons to 8 million. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev also confirmed significant reductions in yields.

Although local losses are significant, Russia’s Agriculture Ministry is maintaining a national harvest forecast of 135 million tons, slightly above last year’s figure of 129.8 million, due to robust performances from the Central, Volga, and North Caucasus regions.

While the domestic food supply seems to be stable, experts warn that the drought could impact Russia’s grain exports.

Georgy Ostapkovich from Moscow’s Higher School of Economics cautioned that the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to climate fluctuations.

“The agricultural sector needs to always be prepared for shifts in production and exports due to its high sensitivity to weather conditions,” Ostapkovich remarked.