The Soviet Union consumes 218 million tons of grain a year but produces only about 180 million tons. The difference makes the Soviet Union the world's largest grain importer, accounting for almost 20 percent of international grain trade. This document presents a comprehensive data series on USSR grain yields, area, and production, including data by republics. It also includes a discussion of policies affecting Soviet grain output and an overview of the USDA process for making short-term forecasts of USSR grain production. Limitations of the data, especially as they affect the ability to forecast grain production, are emphasized.
