Russian Grain Markets: 9-13 April 2012 GRAINS AND PRODUCTS Planting Updates Delayed spring and cool weather has hampered the planting progress in Russia, and in certain areas planting is lagging 50 percent behind the past year's indicators. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that the spring planting campaign this year will cover 50.8 million ha, of which small grains will cover 30.3 million ha. According to the Prime Minister Putin, planting area this spring is most likely to increase but the window for planting is very short.Kazakhstan also started spring planting, and as of 17 April spring grains planting was complete on 53 percent of the total area and oilseeds over 35 percent. Perennial grasses cover over 81 percent. The overall...