In the face of the existing uncertainty about the further impact of the "grain deal", Ukrainian farmers are increasingly turning to oil crops as an alternative Grain crop. First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky said this in a comment on the DW edition, the press service of the Ministry of Agricultural Policy.
In particular, according to him, local farmers are sowing more and more Rapeseeds, Sunflowers and Soybean.
One million hectares of rape could be sown this year. An area roughly the same as last year, despite the occupation of part of the country. Rapeseed is already sown on 70% of the area, indicating that farmers generally sow oil crops.
Taras Vysotsky
First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine
At the same time, the ministry is forecasting a 25 to 35 percent reduction in winter grain this year. It is primarily expected that the seed areas of Wheat and Barley be reduced while the acreage of Rye practically does not change.
In the case of rye, a reduction in area is not to be expected, since cultivation is aimed at the domestic Ukrainian market. However, a different situation is with winter wheat and barley. Because of the port blockade, the supplies from last year's harvest remained.
Taras Vysotsky
First Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine