Ukraine starts spring planting

MOSCOW. March 1 (Interfax) - Ukrainian farmers have begun planting spring crops, including in the Vinnitsa, Nikolayev, Odessa and Kherson regions, Ukrainian media reported, citing a press release from the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry.

They had planted 22,300 hectares of grain and grain legumes as of February 29, including 800 ha of wheat, 11,400 ha of barley and 10,200 ha of peas, the ministry said. In the Odessa region alone, barley and peas have been planted on 7,800 ha and 7,100 ha, respectively, it said.

The ministry found in a survey on preparations for planting spring crops for harvest in 2024 that 70% of farmers plan to expand soybean crop areas by an average of 21% compared to 2023. Farmers also plan to expand the grain legume crop area by 11% and the spring barley crop area by 7%, while planting 9% less corn. The sunflower crop area could also potentially decrease.

The overall area planted with spring crops in 2024 could shrink by 0.5 million hectares or 3.7% from last season, the ministry said.