MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. The grain harvest in Russia in 2023 may reach around 120 mln tons, Chairman of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Committee for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex Pyotr Chekmarev said on Friday.

"The first step in ensuring next year’s success is to sow the planned areas and harvest at least 120 mln tons. It would be a huge success for this year," he said.

Chekmarev noted that there aren't any general seed issues this year. He concluded that farmers have no issues using fertilizers and plant protection products. One of the main risks of the sowing campaign, according to him, is the price of fuel and lubricants.

On March 1, the Ministry of Agriculture reported citing First Deputy Minister Oksana Lut that the Russian grain export target for the current agricultural season stands at 60 mln metric tons. "The target for the entire season is about 60 mln metric tons, making it possible to establish required stocks and support the country’s food security," the Ministry said. It was reported earlier that the forecast for the Russian wheat harvest in 2023 was revised downward from 86 mln to 85.3 mln metric tons.