Ukraine predicts smaller yield of grain over maize harvest losses

Ukraine's Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture has revised downward its forecast for the yield of grain in the country, to 70 million tonnes, over possible maize harvest losses.

The previous forecast was 72.1 million tonnes, the ministry's press service said on August 19.

Read alsoUkrainian farmers accelerate grain harvesting

Cause behind declining yield of maize

"Weather conditions in recent weeks have caused either a loss of potential maize yields or its significant reduction. If weather conditions this autumn are favorable, the maize harvest is expected at 35 million tonnes, while the total grain harvest at 70 million tonnes," the press service quoted Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi as saying.

Most affected regions

According to the ministry, the largest losses in the potential yield of maize are expected in Cherkasy region (on 133,800 hectares), Odesa region (33,500 hectares), and Kirovohrad region (21,300 hectares). At the same time, a significant decrease in the yield is reported in Cherkasy region (234,000 hectares), Kirovohrad region (146,700 hectares), and Poltava region (120,500 hectares).

"In total, tentative losses of maize across Ukraine may be about 2 million tonnes," the ministry summed up.

Background

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised its forecast for the maize yield in Ukraine by 0.5 million tonnes, to 39.5 million tonnes, according to the USDA World Agricultural Production report for August 2020.
• Ukraine's Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture in May 2020 projected the yield of grains and legumes in Ukraine in 2020 at 68 million tonnes, while that of oilseeds was expected at 20 million tonnes.