Ukrainian farmers plan to allocate record areas for winter rape

The overwhelming majority of farmers do not plan to significantly change their winter crops acreage compared to last season. This is evidenced by the results of a survey on the plans and preparations of agricultural producers for the winter crops sowing campaign for the 2024 harvest, conducted by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

In particular, almost half of the farmers (45%) do not plan to significantly reduce the area under winter crops. At the same time, 38% of the surveyed entrepreneurs may increase their sown areas. 14% of farmers said they would not sow winter crops this year.

“This ratio is generally consistent with agricultural practice in Ukraine, where up to 20% of agricultural producers do not participate in sowing winter crops every year,” the Ministry said.

According to the survey, the structure of winter crops may change. In particular, companies will reduce the share of wheat and barley, but increase the area under winter rape.

In general, the area under winter crops may increase by 0.5 million hectares or 8% compared to last season. Rapeseed remains the key factor in the expansion of the sown areas, and the area under it may increase by almost 40% to a record 1.9 million hectares, the Ministry added.

“This year, we have already seen that the share of oilseeds planted, namely soybeans, sunflower, and rapeseed, has increased. This was primarily due to expensive logistics. We also see this trend in farmers’ plans for the next season,” explained Taras Vysotskyi, First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy.

The key challenges affecting the sowing campaign are the lack of financial resources and low liquidity of the agricultural sector. At the same time, the majority of producers say that the main problem is uncertainty about market prospects – more than a third of respondents. In addition, a quarter of the survey participants indicated that the decline in economic motivation also had a negative impact on their expectations for the sowing and future harvest of winter crops.

The survey also showed that fertilizer use remains one of the most sensitive issues for farmers. Large and medium-sized producers are ready to use them in full. In particular, the level of fertilizer application is expected to be half of the agronomic need (47%). The level of expected use of plant protection products for the winter crops in 2024 is forecast at 56% of the need. Only 10% of respondents are ready to apply fertilizers at 100% of the need, and plant protection products – at 18%.

As for the availability of fuel and seeds, there are similar trends. Large and medium-sized producers give the highest assessment of the level of fuel and seed availability. Currently, the average level of fuel supply is estimated at 53%, and seed supply at 60%.

The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy in preparation for the autumn sowing campaign for the 2024 harvest from August 7 to 14, 2023. The survey involved 2403 respondents, of which 2070 (86%) provided detailed information on their plans for the winter crops sowing campaign.

Tags: Ukraine, rapeseed, sown area