The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has updated its forecast for total production of grains and oilseeds. This year, Ukrainian farmers are expected to harvest about 56.4 million tons of grains and 20.3 million tons of oilseeds.
In the early spring of 2023, the total gross harvest for the current year was forecast at 63.5 million tons, which was 13% less than in 2022. In June, after the beginning of the harvesting season, the forecast was increased to 68 million tons, which was 7% less than in 2022. Now, with favorable weather conditions, we have all the reasons to revise the forecast again to 76.7 million tons, which is 5% more than in 2022.
Although the total area under spring and winter crops this year decreased by 980 thousand hectares in comparison with the previous year and was equal to 10,895 thousand hectares, weather conditions contributed to almost record grain yields (up to 51.8 centners per hectare), which will significantly increase the harvest.
According to preliminary estimates of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, in 2023, farmers will be able to harvest the following crops: wheat – 20.9 million tons, barley – 5.8 million tons and corn – 28.1 million tons.
Gross production of oilseeds will reach 20.3 million tons. The sunflower harvest is forecast at 12 million tons. Farmers are expected to harvest a record amount of rapeseed over recent years – 4 million tons. Soybean production is expected to reach 4.2 million tons.
Farmers will also harvest 13.7 million tons of sugar beet this year.
Estimated harvest in 2023 as compared to the previous year by major crops:
| Crop | actual Harvested area, thousand hectares (actual) | Gross harvest, thousand tons | 2023 forecast Harvested area, thousand hectares (actual) | Gross harvest, thousand tons | Gross harvest in 2023 compared to 2022 +/- thousand tons | The area of 2023 compared to 2022 `+/- thousand tons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grains | 11 872,9 | 55 343,6 | 10 895,8 | 56 395,5 | +1 052 | -977,10 |
| Wheat | 5 281,5 | 20 729,2 | 4 646,44 646,4 | 20 949,1 | +220 | -635,10 |
| Barley | 1 740,2 | 5 608,2 | 1 492,9 | 5 808,8 | +201 | -247,30 |
| Corn grain | 4 224,5 | 27 670,5 | 4 055,2 | 28 062,0 | +392 | +392 |
| Oilseeds | 8 971,4 | 20 840,2 | 8 596,3 | 20 291,2 | -549 | -375,10 |
| Rapeseed | 1 256,2 | 3 601,9 | 1 425,6 | 4 022,4 | +421 | +169,40 |
| Soy beans | 1 877,2 | 4 336,3 | 1 811,0 | 4 246,2 | -90 | -66,20 |
| Sunflower | 5 838,0 | 12 902,0 | 5 359,7 | 12 022,6 | -879 | -478,30 |
| Sugar beat | 183,8 | 9 941,5 | 249,9 | 13 727,5 | 3 786 | 66,10 |