Dry Weather Puts a Dent in Ukraine’s Winter Wheat Sowing Plans
In a statement on Thursday, Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister, Mykola Solsky, expressed concerns about the forthcoming 2024 harvest, revealing that Ukraine might sow less winter wheat than initially anticipated due to the prolonged absence of rain across most regions.
Winter wheat is a cornerstone of Ukraine’s agricultural output, contributing to approximately 95% of the country’s overall wheat production.
Minister Solsky emphasized the adverse effects of the current dry and sunny weather on the sowing season, stating,
“Dry sunny weather, if we are talking about winter crops, is not a plus, but a deterrent to the sowing season.”
Compared to the previous year, Solsky acknowledged that there will be a reduction in the amount of winter wheat sown. He attributed this to the persistently dry autumn conditions, emphasizing that such fluctuations are not uncommon.
“We will sow less winter wheat than last year. But this is not a critical story. This is what happens when the autumn is dry,” he explained.
However, Solsky refrained from specifying the exact acreage to be sown this year. The Ministry had previously estimated a sowing area of 4.4 million hectares.
Ukrainian farmers are no strangers to sowing in dry soil, holding out hope for a wetter, milder autumn and winter that would facilitate seed germination.
Solsky noted,
“There is very little rain, which will affect the volume and results. This can still be corrected. After all, it is only the beginning of the year.”
The Agriculture Ministry reported that, as of October 3rd, farmers had sown nearly 3 million hectares of winter crops, with 1.7 million hectares dedicated to winter wheat, accounting for 40% of the projected area.
Ukrainian meteorologists have also raised concerns about the extended dry spell, deeming it unfavourable for both sowing and the development of winter crops across most Ukrainian regions.
In terms of projections, Ukraine is anticipated to yield 79 million tons of grain and oilseed in 2023, with an exportable surplus of approximately 50 million tons for the 2023/24 period.
For more information on Ukraine’s agricultural sector, you can refer to the official Ministry of Agriculture and Food Policy here.
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