Moisture Deficit Cuts Russian Pea Yields by Up to 15% in 2026
Russian pea yields fell by 12-15% from 2025 as dry and unusually warm weather affected major producing regions. Chickpea and bean yields declined by 18-22%, while the pea harvest is forecast at 4.1-4.2 million tonnes.
Rainfall reaches only 65-75% of the long-term norm
A pronounced moisture deficit reduced pulse yields across Russia’s principal growing areas during the 2026 season. According to zol.ru, cumulative precipitation from March through August in the Southern, Volga and Central federal districts amounted to only 65-75% of the long-term average.
Summer temperatures were also 1.5-2.0°C above the climatic norm. The combination of limited rainfall and higher temperatures aggravated the shortage of soil moisture during important stages of crop development.
The resulting pressure was felt across peas, chickpeas and beans, although the scale of the decline varied by crop. The report indicates that chickpeas and beans suffered larger percentage losses because they were more demanding in terms of moisture.
Southern farms report yields below planned levels
In Rostov Region and Krasnodar Territory, a spring moisture deficit and low temperatures in April reduced pea yields to 15.2 centners per hectare. Farms had planned for 18.5 centners per hectare, leaving the reported result 3.3 centners below that level.
Chickpea yields in the Southern Federal District declined to 9.8 centners per hectare against a plan of 12.0 centners. Bean yields reached 10.5 centners per hectare, compared with the planned 14.0 centners.
Small farms are particularly exposed to such weather conditions. They account for 60-70% of production, according to zol.ru, and the absence of irrigation systems made seasonal weather a decisive factor in their profitability. The figures underline the production risk faced by growers whose results depend directly on rainfall.
Pea crop forecast limited to 4.1-4.2 million tonnes
Across Russia, average pea yields fell by 12-15% compared with 2025. Average chickpea and bean yields decreased by 18-22%. The yield losses were among the principal factors limiting the forecast gross pea harvest to 4.1-4.2 million tonnes.
A smaller yield does not automatically show how much product will be available for export, because the source provides no figures for harvested area, domestic consumption, stocks or shipment commitments. It nevertheless narrows the production base from which processors, domestic buyers and exporters must source peas during the season.
For growers, the contrast between planned and actual yields is also relevant to crop economics. Farms without irrigation have fewer options to protect output when precipitation remains below normal. Traders and processors will therefore need to monitor the pace of harvesting and regional availability, while export capacity will depend on how the forecast crop is divided between domestic demand and foreign sales.
