Grain farming is the main branch of crop production and all agricultural production.
Grain Farm in Russia
The Russian Federation leads the world in the number of cultivated areas. Favorable climatic conditions, highly fertile soils, huge reserves of fresh water for irrigation in the areas of sown areas make grain farming a sufficiently developed and profitable crop growing industry.
All crops grown on the territory of the Russian Federation are grouped by purpose as follows:
- food - bread (rye and wheat) and cereals (millet, buckwheat, rice);
- fodder - oats, barley, corn (going to grain).
Spring and winter wheat occupy the largest sown areas (about 50% of all sown areas). The area under wheat from 1991 to 2011 increased by almost 13%. Of the feed crops, the largest areas are reserved for oats and barley. Corn planted only 3% of all sown areas of grain crops.
The volume of grain exports in the global economy is an indicator of the country's economic development. The state first of all seeks to provide its own population with necessary foodstuffs (in the interests of national security), and only in case of excess supplies the product for export.
The history of deliveries of Russian grain to the global market of motley periods of growth in supply volumes and periods of decline, until its complete ban.
Export of grain crops from the Russian Empire
In the 70s. 19 century Russia has occupied a special place in the European grain market. Grain was the main source of income for the Russian Empire. At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. Russia in the world occupies a leading position in the production of grain bread, a fifth of the wheat grown in the world was Russian. More than 50% of rye, a third of barley and a fourth of oats grown in the world were Russian. Russia is a leader in the export of barley and rye, ranks second in the world in the supply of oats and wheat.
Grain export from the USSR
Forced collectivization in the 1930s led to a rapid decline in agricultural production, including grain bread. At the same time, the plan for its procurement was significantly increased.
So, the supply of crops from 1930 to 1932.:
- In 1930, 4.8 million tons of grain were exported, - in 1931 (in poor conditions) - 5 million tons, - in 1932 (in the conditions of the beginning of famine) - 2 million tons.
In the period from the 30s to the end of the 50s, the main purpose of delivering grain from the USSR to the world market was to obtain foreign currency for the industrialization of the country, the restoration of the national economy, destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. The sale of crops abroad at this time was carried out in the harsh conditions of its domestic deficit.
In the postwar period, grain exports to the world market persisted, but from the late 50s. its volumes sharply decreased and imports increased. From the 60s to the 90s grain imports prevail over its exports. They bought grain for the intensive development of animal husbandry and providing the country's population with meat and milk.
2000s
Since the 90s. a new period began in the export of grain from Russia, the supply of Russian grain increased, but in 1991–1993. Russia has practically stopped exporting grain and has resumed deliveries only since 1994.
2001-2002 - this is the grain boom in Russia (grain production has increased), Russia for the first time in 70 years exported significant volumes of grain - 7 million tons, and entered the top ten world states for the sale of wheat and the top five - for barley.
In 2002-2003 grain production and its export almost doubled, for example, Russia produced - 87 million tons, sold –18 million tons outside the country.
The financial crisis influenced the grain market, prices for this product sharply decreased, and its export became unprofitable, financially unprofitable. In January 2009, the ruble depreciated, the position of Russian grain exporters strengthened, selling for foreign currency became profitable.
At present, the country's grain market has been reanimated, the import of grain crops has been minimized and exports have grown significantly, and production volumes have increased. On the international market, the Russian product is very successful, especially for it is in high demand in the Arab countries. Significantly increased grain exports from Russia in the period 2011-2012: the volume of export abroad was a record, amounting to 26.5 million tons.
It should be noted that the 2010–2011 season. was arid, so they collected a small amount of the crop, which covered only the national needs of the country. The government imposed a restriction on grain exports from Russia, fearing a shortage. This ban on the export of grain goods to the world market was introduced from August 2010 and was valid until July 2011.
In 2015-2016, wheat exports account for 76% of all cereals. This is 27.5 million tons; in second place by volume - corn - 15% - 5.3 million tons; third place - barley - 8%. 3 million tons exported.
