In early April 2025, Russia’s Stavropol region, the country’s third-largest wheat producer, experienced a severe hailstorm that damaged grain crops. Governor Vladimir Vladimirov reported that specialists are currently assessing the extent of the damage to determine appropriate responses. This event occurred as extreme weather, including snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures, affected various parts of European Russia following an unusually mild winter.

The Stavropol region contributed approximately 8% to Russia’s 82.6 million-metric-ton wheat harvest in 2024, a year already impacted by adverse weather conditions ranging from early spring frosts to severe droughts. Analysts are closely monitoring these weather fluctuations, as events like frosts, cold spells, and hailstorms could necessitate adjustments to the forecasts for the 2025 harvest.

In response to the current conditions, Russia’s Agriculture Ministry indicated that if the 2025 harvest yields are lower than anticipated, the government is prepared to implement “non-tariff measures,” which could include export restrictions. The Russian Grain Union has warned that in extreme drought scenarios, the grain harvest could decrease by up to 30% from the previous year’s levels.

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Hailstorm hits Russia’s third-largest wheat producing region