Drought will reduce winter rapeseed yield in Ukraine

The ongoing drought in the central, southern and eastern regions of Ukraine may significantly affect the winter rapeseed crops. According to the Hydrometer Center, the deficit of moisture in the soil creates unfavorable conditions for growing this crop, which is important for the country’s agricultural sector, Reuters reports.

“The lack of accumulated moisture in the soil will most affect winter rapeseed, the optimal sowing period for which falls on August 25 – September 10,” forecasters said. In the southern, southeastern and central regions, the period without precipitation lasts from 30 to 80 days, and the amount of precipitation from June 1 to August 20 was only 30-60% of the norm.

The situation is especially difficult in some areas of Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk regions, where the amount of summer precipitation was only 5-25% of the norm. Meteorologists note that the upper and deeper layers of the soil in these regions are completely dried out, which complicates the sowing campaign.

Ukraine is one of the leading European producers and exporters of rapeseed, where winter varieties make up the bulk of production. Drought may lead to a reduction in the harvest, which will negatively affect export figures in the 2025/26 marketing year.

Tags: Ukraine, rapeseed