Ukraine may lose 15-25% of winter grain harvest over spring frost – expert

Director of the Institute of Steppe Zone Agriculture at the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences (NAAS), Candidate of Agricultural Sciences Ihor Semeniaka says losses of winter grains for the 2020 harvest in Ukraine may reach 15%-25% over spring frosts.

"Rapeseed, which was underdeveloped or overgrown in autumn, suffered the most. Barley and winter crops also suffered to a certain extent. Those who sowed barley too early incurred losses as well, albeit not fatal ones... Some varieties of winter wheat, which are neither of domestic selection nor accustomed to our conditions are also in poor shape now," the institute's press service quoted Semeniaka as saying on May 6.

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The expert stressed that the harvest will depend on the frost resistance of crop varieties, as well as on technology farmers apply. Most varieties, especially of Ukrainian breed, have withstood such adverse conditions.

"Therefore, the winter group will ensure yields not lower than the average. But we predict that the shortfall may reach 15%-25% since spring frostbites led to late vegetation, while plants reduced the intensity of growth and development," he said.

As UNIAN reported, EastFruit experts earlier warned that Ukraine might be left without cherries and apricots due to April frosts.

In turn, Head of the agrometeorological department of the Hydrometeorological Center Tetiana Adamenko said that the rains in early May would improve the situation with the harvest of almost all crops after a dry spring and an almost snowless winter.