The steppe - feeding the world

Temperate grasslands are called ‘breadbaskets’ for producing much of the world's wheat and cereals. Temperate grassland have characteristics which make them especially good agricultural land: climate, soil and terrain. Russia’s main agricultural areas are found in the west of the country and within the steppe. The Russian steppe is vital to the nation’s domestic food supply. Russia is largely self-sufficient in grain production. Russia is the world's top wheat exporter, generating US$11 billion from wheat exports in 2023.