Apr 25 2018, 9:30 AMApr 26 2018, 9:59 AMApril 25 2018, 9:30 AMApril 26 2018, 9:59 AM
Russia 's Institute for Agricultural Policy Studies ( IKAR ) has cut its annual winter wheat estimate by around 9 % after cold weather and snow delayed planting in central areas and the Volga valley . IKAR has predicted a harvest of between 72 million and 80 million metric tonnes , and winter planting may be smaller too . Despite IKAR 's reservations , Russia 's wheat harvest is still expected to be one of the biggest on record , with analysts looking to improve agricultural conditions in the south to boost the total .