Ukraine sows 500,000 hectares with spring grains by end-March

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - Ukrainian farmers have sown 207,000 hectares of spring grains and pulses this week, Ukrainian media reported with a reference to the Agrarian Policy Ministry.

They had sown 210,300 ha the past week and 66,600 ha the week before that.

They have now sown a total of 500,000 ha or 4.9% of the 10.24 million ha planned for harvest this year, compared with 600,000 ha as of April 1, 2022.

Farmers have so far sown 107,700 ha of spring wheat, up from 76,100 ha at the end of the previous week; 307,400 ha of barley, up from 168,100 ha; 57,700 ha of peas, up from 35,300 ha; and 26,400 ha of oats, up from 14,200 ha.

Sugar beet and sunflower is being sown in some regions.

The forecast area under grains and pulses this year is 10.24 million ha, or 12.1% less than in 2022, when 14.16 million ha were sown, down 16.3% from 16.92 million ha in 2021.