As of April 20, Ukrainian farmers have successfully sown over 1.25 million hectares of spring grain and leguminous crops. This figure accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total projected areas for the current year. The press service of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine reported these figures, highlighting the resilience of the country’s agricultural sector amid ongoing wartime and economic challenges.
According to agricultural analysts, the dynamics of the spring fieldwork have seen a significant acceleration in recent days. Last week alone, farmers planted crops on 254.9 thousand hectares, compared to 168.7 thousand hectares during the previous week. This indicates that the pace of fieldwork has increased by 1.5 times. However, compared to the same period last year, the overall sowing rates still lag by 15.3%. Experts attribute this delay primarily to a later start of the campaign, which was hampered by cold spells, soil freezing, and unfavorable weather conditions in March and early April.
Breaking down the statistics by specific agricultural crops reveals a steady progression. Barley has been sown on 623.8 thousand hectares, covering 83% of the planned volume. Peas are planted on 238.3 thousand hectares (87%), spring wheat on 158.8 thousand hectares (85%), and oats on 117.5 thousand hectares (85%). In addition, farmers have begun the active sowing of corn, which has already reached 75.7 thousand hectares (about 2% of the forecast). The area dedicated to millet currently stands at 1.2 thousand hectares.
Regional distribution shows that the highest rates of sowing for spring crops are traditionally recorded in the southern and central regions of Ukraine. The Odesa region is currently leading the campaign with 168.2 thousand hectares planted. It is followed by Ternopil (96.3 thousand hectares), Mykolaiv (89.4 thousand hectares), and Poltava (86.5 thousand hectares) regions. Remarkably, farmers in the Kharkiv region—despite their close proximity to the active combat zones and constant security risks—have already started sowing buckwheat.
In parallel with the grain planting, extensive work is underway for technical crops, which currently cover 440.8 thousand hectares. Specifically, sunflowers have been sown on 293.6 thousand hectares (6% of the forecast), and soybeans on 21.8 thousand hectares (1%). A significant milestone has been reached with sugar beets, which have been planted on 125.4 thousand hectares, accounting for an impressive 64% of the planned areas.
Despite facing higher costs for fertilizers, fuel, and logistics, Ukrainian farmers maintain a relatively stable crop structure. The state of winter crops across most regions of Ukraine is officially assessed as satisfactory. The potential loss or need for resowing is estimated at less than 10%, providing a solid foundation for optimism regarding this year’s harvest potential. Through their relentless efforts, Ukrainian agricultural workers continue to ensure domestic food security and sustain the country’s vital export capacities.