Grain crops in Ukraine could see another record high this year – expert

Experts say Ukraine is likely to witness in 2019 another grain crop record high at over 70 million tonnes.

"In general, in 2019 there were favorable weather conditions, so the crops of absolutely all grains was harvested at the last year's level. In particular, it's not only the weather factor that plays its role for maize, but also technology and varieties. Maize is ahead of last year's figures in yield, while its quality is also high. Sunflower and soybeans are at the level of last year or a little lower. But the total volumes are already higher than last year's, while not all of the crops have been harvested yet. Another record is likely – at 70 million tonnes," Tetiana Adamenko, Head of the Department of Agrometeorology at the Ukrhydrometcenter told UNIAN in a comment.

The expert noted that the conditions for the harvesting campaign were also favorable, since there was no rain, while most October days were warm. But at the same time, weather conditions for sowing winter crops were uneven.

Read alsoUkraine reports record high exports of grain, 44% up y-o-y

According to Adamenko, in 2019 there were no large-scale droughts throughout the country, however, in Cherkasy region and adjacent areas of neighboring regions, there is a large deficit of precipitation. "Sowing winter crops in the Cherkasy region is under great threat," she added.

Adamenko also said that in 2019 in Ukraine, the average annual temperature is 2-3 degrees higher than the norm, and the trend for temperature rise will prevail.

"In the next ten years, it is predicted that the most severe conditions are expected for early spring crops (barley, oats), which are sown in spring. Due to an increase in temperature in the summer months, the growing season is reduced and so is the yield," she said.

At the same time, an increase in temperature favorably affects cultivation of maize and sunflower in the northern and western regions of Ukraine.

"Heat resources now allow growing sunflower and getting a good harvest throughout the territory, while thirty years ago the sunflower failed to ripen in the western and northern regions. As for maize, it also didn't ripen everywhere: there was not enough heat in Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Ternopil regions, while now they're getting the highest yield because there is enough heat, while the humidity there is much better than in the east," said Adamenko.

As UNIAN reported earlier, citing the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, as of Nov 1, Ukrainian farmers threshed 66.7 million tonnes of grains, or 92% of the target.

Some 94% of the forecast area has been sown with winter grains.

Grain harvest in 2018 amounted to a record 70.1 million tonnes. According to the ministry's forecast, in 2019, the crop may increase by 1.5% on year and reach 71.1 million tonnes.