MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Russia’s 2021 grain crop is expected to slip to 127.4 million tonnes, including 80.7 million tonnes of wheat, the Interfax News agency reported citing the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the ministry, farmers planted winter grains in dry soil last fall, but a mild winter helped circumvent damage. Spring grain planting is progressing well but could benefit from rains as more dry weather persists.

 Last year, Russia’s grain harvest totaled 133.5 million tonnes of grain, including 85.9 million tonnes of wheat.