SovEcon forecasts sunseed production in 2005 at 6.1-6.3 million tonnes, which is within the range of the early October forecast of 6.0-6.4 million tonnes, compared with 4.8 million tonnes in 2004. Previous record high volume of 4.9 million was achieved in 2003.
By October 18, farmers had threshed 5.7 million tonnes of sunseeds from 4.7 million hectares, or from 86 percent of total area sown with sunflowers against 75 percent last year.
The rains in the south are delaying the harvesting at its final stage. But they have limited effect on the average yields as the bulk of sunseeds have been harvested unusually early.
In fact, eastern regions alongside the Volga river have completed or nearly completed the harvesting before the rainy season's start with minimal losses.
SovEcon's forecast for Russia's sunseed production is now put at the narrowed range of 6.1-6.3 million tonnes, compared with 4.8 million tonnes last year. This is some 1.3 million tonnes above from the former record high output of 4.9 million tonnes, achieved in 2003.
A record high sunseed crop coinsides with a rise in soyabean output, which is currently seen at 0.7 million tonnes, compared with 0.55 million tonnes last year.
Total oilseed output, including rapeseed and mustard, may therefore surge to 7.3 million tonnes against 5.7 million tonnes last year.