Ukraine begins sowing spring crops, 128,100 hectares of grains and legumes have been sown

MOSCOW. March 15 (Interfax) - Ukrainian farmers have begun sowing spring crops, with 128,100 hectares sown with grains and legumes as of March 14, Ukrainian media reported, citing the country's Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

The area sown with barley was 69,600 hectares; peas were sown on 41,500 hectares, wheat on 12,900 hectares, and oats on 3,700 hectares.

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food said earlier that, according to the results of a survey conducted in the state agricultural register on the preparation of agricultural producers for sowing, 70% of respondents plan to increase the area under soybeans by an average of 21%.

The survey also showed that during the spring sowing, grain legumes would remain a priority for farmers, with their sowing set to increase 11%, while barley will rise 7%. It is expected that the area under spring rape will increase 24%, sugar beet will rise 17%, and corn will decrease 9%. The area under sunflower may potentially decrease.

The area under spring crops may decrease 500,000 hectares, or 3.7% in 2024 compared to last season, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy forecasts.