MOSCOW, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Ministry of Agriculture expects the wheat crop this calendar year to rise by at least 4 percent from 2018 to 75 to 78 million tons.

"Under favorable conditions, the forecast can be increased to 80 million tons," the ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

Total grain harvest, according to the ministry, is expected to rise by 5 percent this year to 118 million tons.

The output growth will help meet domestic demand and boost exports of grain and its products, the ministry said.

Wheat is Russia's main agricultural export commodity, followed by barley and maize.