Ukraine could boost oilseed harvest 3.8% in 2024-2025 season - industry association

MOSCOW. July 12 (Interfax) - Ukraine could boost the harvest of the main types of oilseeds 3.8% year-on-year to 22.5 million tonnes in the 2024-2025 agricultural year, which is also 3.8% higher than the State Statistical Service's forecast data, Ukrainian media reported, citing a statement from the UkrOliyaProm industry association.

UkrOliyaProm projects growth in the harvest of sunflowers and soybeans in the current season, though the gross harvest of rapeseed could decrease.

UkrOliyaProm forecasts the soybean harvest to increase the most at 7.5% year-on-year to 5.1 million tonnes in the 2024-2025 agricultural year from 4.743 million tonnes in the 2023-2024 agricultural year.

Growth should result from expanding the sown area 7.4% to 1.97 million hectares, while the harvest yield of oilseed crops should remain at 25.9 c/ha, same as the previous season, the association said.

The sunflower harvest is projected to rise 2% year-on-year to 13 million tonnes in 2024 from 12.76 million tonnes the previous year, while the harvest yield is forecast to remain at 24.5 c/ha, with the sown area expanding 2% to 5.3 million hectares.

UkrOliyaProm forecasts the rapeseed harvest to decline 2% year-on-year to 4.1 million tonnes in the 2024-2025 season from 4.184 million tonnes in 2023-2024 owing to decreasing the sown area 4.3% to 1.37 million hectares, while the harvest yield should remain at 29.2 c/ha.