In recent years, Russia has firmly established itself as the world's largest grain exporter, a remarkable achievement for this traditional agricultural powerhouse. The country's agricultural prowess has deep historical roots. Prior to the October Revolution, around 82% of the Russian population was engaged in agriculture, with agricultural output accounting for 57% of the total industrial and agricultural output.
The Russian Federation has maintained its top - ranking position in wheat exports for three consecutive years. In the 2022 - 2023 season, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Russia exported 46 million tonnes of wheat, accounting for a significant portion of the global wheat trade. This success is not accidental. Russia has vast arable land, with its agricultural land covering 12.9% of its territory, approximately 2.2 billion hectares, providing a solid foundation for large - scale grain production.
The international grain market also attests to Russia's dominance. The International Grain Council (IGC) forecasts global wheat production for the 2023 - 2024 season at 784 million tonnes. Despite a 2.4% decrease from the previous season, Russia is expected to harvest around 90 million tonnes, following a record harvest in 2022 - 2023. Russia's grain exports, especially wheat, are highly sought - after in international markets, with countries like Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Syria being major importers. As Russia continues to invest in its agricultural sector, its position as the world's leading grain exporter is likely to be further consolidated in the coming years.
