Droughts and fires will they bring Russia to its knees? The Russian government admitted on Tuesday that recent weather events will cost between 0.7 and 0.8 growth in the country. Without this unprecedented heat wave last half-century, the Russian economy would have increased from 4.4 to 4.7% in 2010, according to a first estimate unveiled by Economic Development Minister Andrei Klepach. The final cost of these disasters should be known in November.
"The extreme heat and smoke from fires have forced businesses to close their plants or reduce their production schedules," according to economists at HSBC payday advance lenders. "The productivity of those who have maintained their production has declined considerably." These climatic events were particularly affected the agricultural sector. Wheat production is expected to drop by and third.What make analysts more pessimistic than the government: they think the heat wave is expected to cost a point of growth.
Russia, however, had started the year well, with a growth rate of 2.9% in the first quarter and 5.2% in the second. "In the third quarter, the activity should be particularly weak and a scenario of stagnation can not be ruled out," HSBC economists said.