This summer's abnormal heat wave and drought may shave off 10 percent from Russia's agricultural production, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said on Friday.
"Agriculture may lose up to 10 percent this year, but these are not final figures," Shuvalov told the State Duma, the lower house of parliament.
Russia's worst drought and heat in the last 130 years cut grain crops by a third, the potato harvest by 24.4 percent, and vegetables by 6.1 percent.
Shuvalov added there was reason for hope that next year the country could reach planned targets as the government had taken measures to support affected regions, such as cheap grain transportation and subsidies to the regions.
MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti)
