Soil drought in Ukraine threatens winter rapeseed sowing and late crops

Soil drought continues across a significant part of Ukraine and, according to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, is expected to persist at least until the end of August. The moisture deficit is already creating difficult conditions for winter rapeseed sowing and negatively affecting corn, soybeans and sunflower seed.

During the first two ten-day periods of August, rainfall across the country averaged only 20–40% of normal levels, leaving productive soil moisture reserves virtually unreplenished. The topsoil in areas intended for sowing winter crops for the 2027 harvest remains poorly moistened even in western regions and completely dry across most of the country.

In many areas, soil drought has persisted since June. Conditions are particularly difficult in Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava and Kharkiv regions, where drought has lasted for more than 40–60 days. In some areas, the entire one-meter soil layer has completely dried out.

The lack of moisture is creating particularly unfavorable conditions for winter rapeseed. The optimal sowing period ends on August 25–27, while the acceptable window extends until September 5–9. Under current soil conditions, achieving timely and uniform emergence could be difficult.

At the same time, dry winds and prolonged heat are increasing potential losses for late-season crops. Agrometeorologists are already reporting damage and premature drying of corn and soybean leaves. In sunflower seed, heat during flowering may have caused pollen sterilization and death, increasing the risk of poor seed set and lower yields.

Tags: Ukraine, drought, rapeseed