Łukašenka expecting grain harvest to offset agricultural decline

July 18, Pozirk. The Belarusian government expects to harvest about 11 million tons of grain, Alaksandar Łukašenka has told officials at a meeting discussing this year’s harvest, warning that losses are not acceptable, his press office reported.

Agricultural production in Belarus dropped by nearly 3 percent in the first half of 2025 year on year. The Belarusian ruler attributed the decline to softening in pork production and fodder procurement, noting that good grain harvest should offset it.

However, officials at today’s video conference indicated that one in three inspected farms had not prepared harvesters, while others were not able to repair harvesting equipment due to a lack of spare parts and specialized staff. Some farms reportedly failed to prepare grain warehouses for the harvest.

Time-critical harvest operations have been delayed due to insufficient fuel reserves and a lack of spare parts, Łukašenka noted. Meanwhile, many state-run farms continue to report inflated figures on paper: about 5 percent of farms claimed that equipment was ready even though it was not, he added.

Last year, Belarus harvested 8.8 million tons of grain and grain crops, some 8.8 percent more than in 2023, according to the National Statistics Committee (Biełstat).

Earlier, the agriculture ministry said Belarus was expected to harvest about 10 million tons of grain this year.

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