According to Rybczynski, the reduction of the gross grain harvest in Ukraine in 2015 was attributed to a decrease in the expected yield.
"A decrease in yields is expected for almost all crops. The average yield of grain and leguminous crops is projected by us at 39.7 tonnes per hectare, which is 9% lower than in the previous year," the expert said.
This year’s downward estimate of the harvest in Ukraine is also due to the expectation that Ukrainian farmers will try to make savings on resources, Rybczynski said.
"We carried out surveys in autumn during sowing, winter and early spring. More than 80% of agricultural producers said they had to economize, especially on fertilizers," Rybczynski said, adding that the amount of fertilizer application would directly impact crop yields.
