Ukraine plans to harvest up to 63 million tons of crops

Because of the war, farmers will lose about 10% of the harvest. This forecast was made by Markiyan Dmytrasevych, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Odesa.

“Our approximate forecast is 62-63 million tons of all crops. But this all depends on weather conditions, on the sowing campaign, on export opportunities – how the grain corridor and the “solidarity routes” (export of agricultural products across Ukraine’s western border – ed.) will work,” – the official said.

He also added that Ukraine will lose about 10% of the harvest tonnage. 

“But its value will increase, as our farmers have switched from corn and wheat to sunflower, soybeans, and rapeseed due to complicated logistics,” – Dmytrasevych said.

Alla Stoyanova, director of the department of Agricultural Policy, Food and Land Relations of the Odesa regional military administration, added that in February 2023, the harvest was expected to be 45-46 tons, but due to big amount of precipitation, the planned yield increased.

“In 2021, Odesa region produced a record 5 million tons of grain, and in 2022 – 3 million 300 thousand tons of pulse plants. This year, we can reach last year’s measures, and if the harvesting campaign goes well, we can increase the forecast by 15%,” – Stoyanova said.

She also noted that the spring crops sowing campaign in Odesa region is almost over. 

“We only need to sow about 100 thousand hectares of corn. Sunflower has already been sown. Unlike last year, the campaign is going steadily,” – the official added.

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