Russia’s 2022 Grain Harvest Surges, Driven by Bigger Yields Across Key Cereals
In 2022, Russia saw a notable rise in grain production, with overall cereal and legume harvests climbing by nearly 30 percent year over year. This trend is reflected in Rosstat statistics and was reported by Interfax based on official data from the Russian Statistical Service.
Statistics show that the combined harvest of cereals and legumes reached about 157.676 million tons, up from 121.399 million tons in 2021, marking a substantial year-over-year increase. Among the major crops, wheat output grew sharply, totaling roughly 104.237 million tons compared with 76.1 million tons in the previous year, a rise of roughly 37 percent.
The gains extended to other grains as well. Barley harvests rose around 30 percent, rye by about 26.5 percent, and corn by approximately 5 percent. Excluding rice and millet, nearly every grain category posted gains, underscoring broader agricultural strength across the sector.
Industry observers have highlighted that demand from international buyers is supporting strong exports. Elena Tyurina, a former director in the Analytical Department of the Russian Grain Union, noted that African buyers are increasing purchases of Russian wheat and related grain products. The Russian Grain Union reported exports of 3.7 million tons of grain products in February, a 35.4 percent rise from the prior year. Tyurina also attributed part of the growth to settlement in rubles for key deals with major buyers such as Turkey and Egypt.
On the international stage, the United Nations has signaled ongoing efforts to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports as a means to reduce global food supply risk. Spokespersons for the UN have stated that these export channels are being pursued to help mitigate potential food crises worldwide.
Overall, the 2022 harvest demonstrates a resilient agricultural sector in Russia, with robust yields across most staple grain crops and a steady push toward expanding international trade, even as market dynamics shift and global demand evolves. The data reflects not just production volumes but the broader context of export activity and policy-related factors shaping grain markets in the region.