By Faridat Salifu
Russian farmers are moving into the autumn sowing season under mounting pressure as prolonged drought and soaring input costs create one of the toughest starts in years.
Officials acknowledged that southern regions, which supply a significant portion of the country’s winter grains, are facing depleted soil moisture after two consecutive dry seasons. With rainfall remaining scarce, growers are bracing for below-average conditions that could weaken harvest prospects.
To cope, many farms are turning to drought-resistant seed varieties and alternative technologies, though these measures add to already rising expenses. Agricultural costs for seed, fertiliser, and fuel have jumped by up to 20 percent, according to regional estimates, leaving producers with tighter margins despite demand for staple crops.
In Rostov, one of the areas most affected, Deputy Governor Sergei Bodryakov confirmed that some farms have begun sowing winter wheat and rapeseed, with about 20,000 hectares planted so far. He described the campaign as unfolding in “difficult conditions,” with farmers advancing cautiously while waiting for rain.
Analysts warn that if dry conditions persist, Russia’s grain output could come under renewed stress at a time when global food markets remain highly sensitive to supply shocks.
