MARS predicts a good yield of winter crops in Ukraine

Moderate temperatures and sufficient precipitation since the beginning of the winter season support a moderate to positive forecast for winter crop yields across most of Ukraine. This is stated in the April EU Agricultural Resources Monitoring Bulletin (JRC MARS).

Despite the moderate to positive forecast, the winter wheat production forecast is well below the 5-year average due to a decrease in planted acreage. The decrease in winter crop acreage due to reduced availability of labor and agricultural resources because of Russia’s war against Ukraine applies not only to non-government-controlled territories, but also to Ukrainian-controlled areas.

JRC MARS forecasts of winter crop yields are in line with historical trends. In terms of production, this corresponds to a forecast of 25.48 million tons of wheat, 3.77 million tons of winter barley and 3.04 million tons of canola, of which 20.67 million tons (wheat), 3.08 million tons (winter barley) ) and 2.71 million tons (rapeseed) are projected for government-controlled areas. These initial projections will be revised based on adjustments to acreage estimates and updated MARS yield projections for the rest of the season.

Recall that the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine recently gave the first crop forecasts for 2023: the total gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops could be 44.3 million tons, down 16.57% from the previous figure of 53.1 million tons.

Tags: Ukraine, crop forecast