Ukraine sows crops on 93% of planned area - Agricultural Policy Ministry

MOSCOW. June 10 (Interfax) - Main types of agricultural crops have been sown on 13.4 million hectares in Ukraine this spring, which is 93% of the planned 14.4 million hectares, the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry said on Friday, adding that crops were sown on 0.22 million hectares over the week from June 3 to 9.

As of June 9, sunflower seeds were sown on 4.69 million hectares (95% of 4.93 million hectares planned for 2022), corn was sown on 4.63 million hectares (95% of 4.85 million hectares), spring barley was sown on 951,200 hectares (93% of 1.02 million hectares), spring wheat was sown on 191,100 hectares (the sowing is over), oats were sown on 159,200 hectares (97% of 163,600 hectares), and peas were sown on 130,600 hectares (89% of 145,700 hectares), Ukrainian media outlets said with the reference to the ministry website.

In addition, potato was sown on 1.11 million hectares (93% of 1.19 million hectares), soybeans on 1.21 million hectares (97% of 1.25 million hectares), sugar beat on 182,100 hectares (88% of 206,900 hectares), spring rapeseeds on 33,400 hectares (the sowing is over), millet on 48,500 hectares (78% of 62,300 hectares), and buckwheat on 74,900 hectares (92% of 81,600 hectares).

Crops have been sown on 81.7% of 16.92 million hectares sown as of the same date last year.

Certain regions will start harvesting winter crops next week, the ministry said. Winter crops were sown on 7.7 million hectares in 2021, including 6.5 million hectares of wheat, 1 million hectares of barley, and 0.16 million hectares of rye, the ministry said.

Given the ongoing events in Ukraine, the area under high-margin crops (sunflower and corn) will be reduced this year, while sowing of simpler but more important crops, such as peas, barley and oats, will be increased.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 20 that Ukraine would sow crops on approximately 14.2 million hectares this year, which is 80% of last year's 16.9 million hectares.

Earlier, the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry estimated areas under spring crops at 13.44 million hectares in 2022, vs. 16.92 million hectares in 2021.

Deputy chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidential office Rostyslav Shurma said that this year Ukraine seeks to harvest at least 70% of the crops harvested last year.