Ukraine completes spring sowing

MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Ukrainian farmers have completed spring sowing, Ukrainian media reported, citing the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry.

Farmers have sown 5.672 million hectares with spring grains and legumes, 4% more than forecast but 8.5% less than in 2022 and 25.1% less than in 2021.

The sunflower area was 5.307 million ha, or 5.9% less than planned, but 2.9% more than last year. The soybean area was 1.779 million ha rubles 3.3% less than forecast but 46.8% more than last year.

The areas under peas and corn were 16% and 12% more than planned at 139,300 ha and 4.043 million ha, respectively but 6.3% more ad 12.8% less than last year.

The buckwheat area was 5% above target at 120,700 ha and 60.3% more than last year.

The area under oats was 150,100 ha or 2% above plan but 5.8% below last year.

The spring wheat area was 280,000 ha or 2% below plan but 46.5% more than in 2022 and 59.1% more than in 2021, when significantly less winter wheat was sown.

The spring barley area was 821,900 ha or 21% below plan and 13.6% less than in 2022. The millet area was 51,100 ha or 15% below plan and 3.2% higher than in 2022.

The winter wheat area for harvesting in 2023 fell 834,000 ha from the previous year to 4.166 million ha and winter barley 255,000 ha to 536,000 ha, while the rapeseed area grew 110,000 ha to 1.374 million ha.

A total of 12.75 million ha was sown with grains, pulses and oilseed crops this season, the ministry said.