Ukrainian farmers may halve corn planting area in 2027 in favor of oilseeds

Ukrainian farmers may significantly revise their planting structure in 2027, reducing grain areas in favor of oilseed crops. The largest reduction is expected in corn, with planting area potentially falling by up to 50%, while wheat area could decline by 15–17%. Meanwhile, farmers plan to expand soybean and sunflower planting. This was reported by Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi during a meeting with journalists.

According to the minister, Ukraine’s six major agricultural crops — wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower — occupied around 20 mln ha in 2026. The most significant changes in next year’s planting structure could affect corn. The ministry does not rule out the possibility that farmers could halve the area planted with this crop, which could substantially affect Ukraine’s corn production and export potential.

Wheat planting area may also decline. While Ukrainian farmers planted around 5 mln ha of winter and spring wheat in 2026, this area could decrease to 4–4.2 mln ha in 2027. Meanwhile, no significant changes are expected in barley planting, with the area likely to remain at around 1.5 mln ha. Thus, corn and wheat could account for the largest reductions in grain planting area.

Farmers plan to allocate part of the land freed up from grain production to soybeans and sunflower. These crops are considered the main alternatives as farmers adjust their production structure in 2027. At the same time, no significant expansion of rapeseed area is expected. In 2026, rapeseed occupied around 1.3 mln ha, while additional spring rapeseed planting could reach up to 200 thsd ha.

Tags: Ukraine, corn, soybean, oilseeds, sunseed