Up to 30% of Ukraine’s area lacks sufficient moisture for winter crop sowing

Around 20–30% of Ukraine’s cropland currently has insufficient soil moisture for proper winter crop sowing and early crop development. According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, the country received about 80% of normal precipitation on average from January 1 to September 10, while July–August rainfall, which is critical for building moisture reserves for the next crop, reached only around 60% of normal levels.

The largest rainfall deficit was recorded in the forest-steppe regions, where precipitation in July–August was less than half of normal. Conditions remain highly uneven across the country. September rains improved the situation in the Kyiv region and western Ukraine, where around 15–20 mm of rainfall was recorded in recent days, although about 30 mm is needed to fully replenish soil moisture reserves.

Conditions are particularly difficult in the Kharkiv region, where drought has persisted in many districts since May, with some areas experiencing around 90 days without meaningful rainfall. The moisture deficit is complicating soil preparation and winter crop sowing.

Agrometeorologists estimate that seeds sown into dry soil may emerge with a delay of 30–40 days. A prolonged lack of moisture also increases the risk of deterioration in seed quality and establishment.

Mostly sunny weather with limited rainfall is expected in the near term, which is unlikely to significantly improve soil moisture reserves. However, the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center does not yet consider the situation critical, noting that farmers have increasingly been shifting winter crop sowing to later dates and adjusting fieldwork according to actual rainfall.

Tags: Ukraine