Ukrainian agrarians sow spring crops on 852,100 hectares

MOSCOW. April 5 (Interfax) - Ukraine had sown spring grains and legumes on 852,100 hectares as of April 4, which is 37.3% more than the year before, Ukrainian media said on Friday, citing the press service for the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry.

The pace of peas sowing is 62.8% higher than as of the same date last year and currently stands at 119,000 hectares (versus 73,100 hectares the week before), the ministry said. According to it, the pace of barley sowing is 44.2% higher and amounts to 543,200 hectares (291,500 hectares) and oats are sown on 62,400 hectares, up 51% from last year (62,400 hectares the week before). At the same time, the pace of wheat sowing lags behind last year by 6.6% and amounts to 118,300 hectares (68,300 the week before).

Ukrainian farmers sowed grain and legumes on 375,400 hectares over past week.

Sugar beets have been sown on 58,700 hectares. Ukrainian farmers are also sowing oilseeds. Sunflowers have been sown on 35,700 hectares.

Based on a poll conducted in the State Agrarian Register with regard to preparations for the spring 2024 sowing, the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry said that 70% of respondents planned to increase the area under soybeans by an average of 21% compared to 2023.

The poll also indicates that legumes will remain a priority for Ukrainian farmers this spring and the area under such crops will increase by 11%, while areas under spring barley will grow 7%. The area under spring rapeseed may grow 24%, alongside a 17% increase in the area under sugar beet and a 9% decline in the area under corn. The area under sunflower may decrease potentially.

In general, the area under spring crops may decrease by 0.5 million hectares or by 3.7% in 2024, compared to the previous season, the ministry said.