According to the updated forecast of the analysts of “APK-Inform”, the acreage under Oilseeds in Ukraine will increase to 2023 million hectares in 8,28, which will exceed the number a year earlier by 3%. At the same time, the proportion of oilseed harvest in 2022 could increase to 98-99% vs. 95%.
The increase in sown areas in 2023 will be mainly due to the reduction in grain areas in Ukraine, but will also be due to the liberated areas in 2022 and will generally Sunflowers and Soybean affect.
In 2023, the potential of sunflower production can be increased by expanding the acreage to 5,3-5,4 million hectares (+ 8-9% by 2022). The intensity and speed of demining of the deoccupied areas, especially the Kherson and Kharkiv areas, will be a significant influencing factor.
Also the yield of Sunflowers may increase compared to the previous year, despite the possible reduction in fertilization, given that last year, due to the war, the difficulties in supplying seeds and the sufficiently cool weather conditions, the sowing times have shifted significantly.
Thus, analysts predict that the production of sunflower in 2023 could increase to 12,3 million tons (+12%), but will depend on the further development of hostilities, weather conditions and the availability of seeds.
Another oil crop whose production could increase in 2023 is Soybean. According to the preliminary forecast of the analysts of “APK-Inform”, it is expected that the sown area under this crop will be expanded to 1,6-1,7 million ha (+7% by 2022), which indicates a high liquidity of the crop, as well as a lower dependence on seed imports compared to other oilseeds.
At the same time, rapeseed production could decrease in 2023 compared to the previous year, but not significantly. According to preliminary estimates, the sown area under this crop may be about 1,2 million hectares, which is 18% less than last year. However, given the significant losses of rapeseed areas in Ukraine in the spring of 2022 as a result of hostilities, this year's collection area can be reduced by only 2022% compared to 1.
Source: APKinform (Ukraine)