Ukraine’s spring sowing lags 35% behind last year

As of March 16, Ukraine has sown 53,400 hectares of spring grains and pulses across nine regions, accounting for about 1% of the 2026 forecast. According to data from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the pace of the campaign is currently 35.7% slower than last year.

According to the ministry, farmers have so far planted 25,600 hectares of peas (9% of the planned area), 16,900 hectares of barley (2%), and 5,400 hectares each of wheat and oats.

Sowing of industrial crops has not yet begun.

The leading regions in terms of planted area so far are:

• Odesa region — 26,400 hectares

• Volyn region — 8,500 hectares

• Mykolaiv region — 7,700 hectares

• Kherson region — 3,800 hectares

• Lviv region — 3,500 hectares

Planned Areas

In 2026, Ukraine plans to sow about 6 million hectares with spring grains and pulses, which is 1.6% less than the actual figure in 2025 (6.1 million hectares).

Corn will traditionally account for the largest share at 4.42 million hectares, down 1.6% (or 70,300 hectares) compared to last year.

Barley areas are also expected to decline to 753,700 hectares (-2.7%).

At the same time, wheat acreage will expand by 7% to 186,300 hectares. Production areas for peas (274,500 hectares) and oats (138,000 hectares) are projected to increase by about 1%.

Buckwheat acreage in 2026 is forecast at 56,800 hectares (-2%), while millet plantings are expected to reach 40,000 hectares, up 20.5% compared with last year.

Plantings of other grains and pulses are expected at 135,500 hectares, which is 19% less than in 2025 (167,100 hectares).

Among oilseeds and industrial crops, sunflower is forecast to cover about 5.0 million hectares in 2026, down 2% (or 103,600 hectares) from last year.

Soybean acreage is expected at 2.04 million hectares (-1.6%), while sugar beet plantings are projected at 197,200 hectares (-0.8%).

Data on rapeseed has not yet been released by the ministry.

Earlier Forecasts

Earlier in March, the ministry warned that spring fieldwork in 2026 would begin with a delay of one to two weeks due to unfavorable weather conditions, including frozen soils and snow cover in several regions.

However, officials stressed that the delayed start would not affect the overall sowing volumes, and farmers in frontline regions remain ready to conduct fieldwork in full.

Thanks to large-scale demining efforts across the country, an additional 30,000–40,000 hectares of land have been returned to agricultural use.

Tags: Ukraine