World Grain - December 2021 - 22

SOSLAND PUBLISHING
years
THE FALL AND RISE OF
Russian
Wheat
by Arvin Donley
W
heat is not only sown into Russia's rich, black
soil, but also woven into the cultural fabric
of the agricultural powerhouse that straddles
Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The image of wheat
stocks can be found on Russian and Soviet Union-era flags,
monuments, and artwork, reflecting the food grain's importance
as a national symbol of abundance and prosperity.
Recognized throughout history as a leading wheat producer,
it wasn't until recently that Russia began flooding
the international market with significant volumes of the
grain. In fact, throughout the latter part of the 20th century,
Russia depended heavily on wheat imports to feed its
people and its burgeoning livestock industry.
How did Russia go from being largely self-sufficient
in wheat during the first 70 years of the 20th century to
being among the world leaders in imports the century's
last three decades, only to dramatically reverse course and
become the world's leading wheat exporter during the last
five years?
The fall and rise of the Russian wheat industry is a
complicated story, influenced by international politics,
domestic political and economic ideology, the country's
notorious volatile weather, and the ups and downs of the
domestic livestock industry.
William Liefert, formerly of the US Department of
Agriculture's Economic Research Service where he specialized
in Russian and Former Soviet Union agriculture,
describes the " black soil region " in southern Russia as
22
Editor's Note: As Sosland Publishing gears up to celebrate
100 years of providing food industry professionals
timely information, news and commentary, we will
be publishing a series of feature articles across all our
titles to celebrate the past, present and future of the
people and industry that feeds the world.
being among the best agricultural land in the world.
" That land during the times in modern history when
there has been sufficient peace has naturally been a surplus
grain-producing region and exporter, as it is now, "
said Liefert, noting that the 19th century Russian empire
was a major grain exporter.
In the following century, the czarist regime's collapse
in 1917 led to the Bolsheviks' rise to power in Russia and
the formation of the Soviet Union. After consolidating authority
in the late 1920s, Josef Stalin pushed for mass industrialization,
which included agricultural collectivism,
as part of the new Soviet Communist vision.
" There was suddenly complete state control of the
economy, " Liefert told World Grain. " This led to mayhem
in agriculture. About half of all livestock in the
country was destroyed because the peasants decided they
weren't just going to hand it over to the government. It led
to a horrible famine that centered on Ukraine, which was
largely a man-made policy event. It did not have to happen.
It's a subject of historical debate that anywhere from
December 2021 / World Grain / World-Grain.com
Once highly dependent
on imports, Russia has
become the world's top
wheat exporter
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - December 2021

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