Sowing rates in Ukraine lag behind last year by 10.5%

The pace of the sowing campaign in Ukraine in 2026 remains lower than last year. As of April 6, farmers have sown 828.3 thousand hectares of spring grain and leguminous crops, which is 14% of the projected area.

Despite the fact that over the past week the pace of field work has increased by 1.8 times — to 366.9 thousand hectares — the overall indicator lags behind the same period last year by 10.5%. For comparison, as of the beginning of April 2025, 926 thousand hectares were sown.

Currently, the largest areas are sown with barley — 420.9 thousand hectares (56% of the plan), peas — 186.1 thousand hectares (68%), wheat — 111.1 thousand hectares (60%) and oats — 86.5 thousand hectares (63%). Sowing of corn and buckwheat has not yet begun.

In parallel, sowing of industrial crops is underway, with 60.7 thousand hectares already sown. In particular, sunflower – 18.3 thousand hectares, soybean – 0.05 thousand hectares, sugar beets – 42.3 thousand hectares.

According to the ministry’s forecast, in 2026 the total area sown with spring grain and leguminous crops will exceed 6 million hectares. Corn will traditionally occupy the largest share.

It should be noted that the spring sowing campaign in Ukraine is accompanied by instability in resource prices and security risks. To support the industry, the state extended the preferential lending program “Affordable Loans 5-7-9” until March 2027, introduced compensation for insurance premiums up to 60% and full financing of demining of agricultural lands.

Tags: Ukraine