"We expect that the growth of agriculture, given the processing this year will be in the range from 2.3% to 2.5%, while the production of agricultural products, according to our estimates, will grow by 2% compared to last year, and it is a good indicator", - said Patrushev.

Earlier, the Ministry of agriculture of Russia forecasted the growth of agricultural production in Russia in 2019 at the level of 1-1,5%.

As explained by the Minister, this year marked a record collection of a number of crops, and the grain harvest is the second largest in post-Soviet history.

The Ministry of agriculture in December raised its forecast for grain harvest in Russia in 2019 to 121 million tons from 120 million tons. This was 7% higher than in 2018.

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