Russian Crop Prospects Boosted by Warmer Weather, Center Says

Warmer temperatures improved the prospects for crops in Russia’s Southern and North Caucasus federal districts following rainfall in the first 10 days of this month, the Federal Hydrometeorological Center said.

“The weather became warmer at last in the Southern and North Caucasus federal districts starting from May 17,” Anna Strashnaya, head of agro-meteorological forecasts at the Moscow- based center, said today by phone. “Temperatures increased to 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) from between 15 and 19 degrees. It was favorable for crops, and soil had enough moisture.”

The rains that delayed spring sowing in the two regions earlier this month didn’t cause damage, she said. “The rainfalls did not have any impact. They did not last too long. The regions will overcome the delay in sowing of late crops,” Strashnaya said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Marina Sysoyeva in Moscow msysoyeva@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Claudia Carpenter at ccarpenter2@bloomberg.net