The Ministry of Agrarian Policy raised the harvest forecast to 79 million tons

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food estimates the 2023 harvest at 79 million tons, which is at least 7 million tons more than last season.

“In May, at the beginning of the sowing season, we thought we would have about 63-64 million tons. Then we raised the forecast to 67-68 million, then more – 70 million. Last year, we had a result of 7 million tons, then 75 million tons. In the last two weeks, we have been talking about a harvest that will probably be around 79 million, which is at least 7 million more than last year,” said Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Solsky during a telethon.

Mr. Solsky reminded that farmers are no longer concerned about yields and gross output, but rather about the price at which they can sell their produce.

“It is very important that we have the opportunity to sell at a higher price. It is important how much we can export. After all, we need to be able to export 5 million tons from the country every month,” the minister explained, adding that logistics is very expensive and grain is inexpensive.

Solsky noted that the demand for logistics is now significantly higher than the supply, and pointed out the importance of balancing these indicators.

“We are trying to do our best to bring this balance closer to what is needed (for the farmer – ed.) so that the price (for grain – ed.) will rise,” Solsky emphasized.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Grain Association updated its estimate of the potential 2023 harvest, raising its forecast by another 3.7 million tons to 80.5 million tons of grains and oilseeds.

Tags: crop forecast, Ukraine