The sunflower harvest in the Saratov region is expected to reach 1.9 million tons.

In 2024, the Saratov region is expected to harvest 3.5-4 million tons of grain. This was reported by the deputy chairman and Minister of Agriculture of the Saratov region, Roman Kovalsky, during a meeting of the regional government.

According to preliminary forecasts, farmers will collect 4 million tons "under favorable weather conditions."

Sunflower is expected to reach 1.9 million tons, potatoes - 135 thousand tons, fruits - 55 thousand tons, vegetable crops - 335 thousand tons, including 39.0 thousand tons in closed ground.

"Agricultural producers in the region were granted 7.8 billion rubles of credit funds by May 30, which is 600 million more than in 2023, including at a preferential rate - 2.6 billion rubles," Roman Kovalsky said.

Currently, the carryover grain stocks amount to 2.1 million tons. At the same time, the internal annual demand is

1.7 million tons. The oilseed sunflower stocks amount to over 720 thousand tons. "Partial damage to agricultural crops will not affect the region's food security," said Roman Kovalsky.

It is worth noting that due to frosts, the Saratov region introduced a state of emergency of regional significance. Frosts led to damage to agricultural crops in 12 districts of the Saratov region, mainly in the northwest zone, covering an area of 62 thousand hectares. Crop loss was recorded on 41 thousand hectares (which is less than 1% of the sown area). The majority affected are winter crops.