Ukrainian farmers nearly complete spring sowing campaign

Ukrainian farmers have almost completed the spring sowing campaign, the Ministry of Economy reported. A total of 5.88 mln ha were sown with spring cereals and legumes, while the overall area of winter and spring cereals and oilseeds for the 2026 harvest exceeded 20 mln ha.

Corn accounts for the largest share of spring cereals at 4.37 mln ha. Other crops include spring wheat at 186.6 thsd ha, spring barley at 713.6 thsd ha, peas at 259.7 thsd ha, oats at 137.5 thsd ha, buckwheat at 55.1 thsd ha, and millet at 38.5 thsd ha.

Strongest sowing progress was recorded in central and northern regions, particularly Poltava, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia and Kyiv regions. In Poltava region, farmers sowed 594.1 thsd ha, including 502.5 thsd ha of corn. Chernihiv region reached 572.9 thsd ha, of which 512.3 thsd ha was corn. Vinnytsia region reported 481.6 thsd ha, while Kyiv region reached 424.3 thsd ha.

Industrial crops were sown on a total of 7 mln ha, including 4.86 mln ha of sunflower, 1.99 mln ha of soybeans, and 190 thsd ha of sugar beet. Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Oleksii Sobolev said the campaign was nearly completed despite an abnormally cold spring, record frosts, and ongoing shelling.

He added that over 20 mln ha of winter and spring crops were planted for the 2026 harvest, describing it as a sign of resilience in Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The ministry maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook for the season, forecasting total grain and oilseed production at 81–83 mln tonnes.

Grain output is expected at 60–61 mln tonnes, broadly in line with last year. Wheat production is forecast lower at 22–23 mln tonnes due to reduced acreage and weaker yield expectations, while corn output could exceed 32 mln tonnes and barley around 5 mln tonnes.

For oilseeds, production prospects are stronger. Sunflower output may surpass 12 mln tonnes, up about 16% year-on-year, while soybean production is projected at around 5 mln tonnes and rapeseed at 3.5 mln tonnes.

The ministry noted that agriculture remains a key driver of Ukraine’s exports and foreign currency earnings, and the projected harvest of 81–83 mln tonnes of grains and oilseeds is expected to help maintain the country’s strong position in the global food market.