In 2023, Ukraine will harvest half as much grain as before the war

In 2023, Ukraine will harvest half as much grain as before the war

Norbert Lehmann, AGRARHEUTE*

© IMAGO/Ukrinform

Ukrainian agriculture is suffering greatly from the Russian invasion. This summer, grain and oilseed production is expected to be half the pre-war output.

Ukrainian farmers are expected to harvest less than half the amount of grains and oilseeds harvested last year before the Russian invasion this summer.

This is what theUkrainian Grain Union (UUC). In total, the Ukrainian production of grains and oilseeds might, according to the estimates of theUUCfalling by an additional quarter, from approximately 67 million tons last year only 50 million tons. In 2021, the last harvest before the Russian invasion, Ukraine still produced around 106 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds.

For the 2023 harvest, 16 million tons of wheat and 18 million tons of corn are currently forecast, Mr. Nikolay Gorbachov, director of theUUCon the sidelines of the Paris conference on cereals organized by Argus Media. According to Mr. Gorbachov, these forecasts are even still an optimistic scenario, ie the maximum quantities to be expected.

If the weather conditions are not favorable or if the farmers encounter significant financial difficulties, even lower harvests are to be expected.

Growing corn is too expensive and too complicated

« For farmers, it had become unprofitable to produce cereals. That’s why they have reduced their cultivated areas said Mr. Gorbachov. They are betting more and more on oilseeds. For maize too, the areas should be smaller than in 2022.

According to Mr. Gorbachov, the cultivation of maize is particularly affected by the financial constraints of farmers, since cultivation, drying and transport are relatively expensive. In addition, it is estimated that 10 percent of last year’s cornfields still haven’t been harvestedas farmers wait for the fields to dry out.

Many Ukrainian farmers produce at a loss

The interruption of exports following the invasion of Russia has resulted in many farmers producing at a loss, the official said.UUC. According to Ukrainian data, wheat production last year amounted to regarding 19 million tons; the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) put the harvest at 20.5 million tonnes.

The previous year, that is to say before the Russian attack, Ukrainian farmers had harvested a record amount of 33 million tons of wheat. Regarding maize, regarding 23.1 million tons were harvested from the fields in 2022, compared to 41.9 million tons the previous year.

Around 30 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds were exported

According to the Union leader, Ukraine has so far managed to export regarding 30 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds in the 2022/23 season through the Black Sea corridor negotiated with Russia and via alternative routes passing through the countries of the European Union.

However, the delays taken by Russia in the control of ships in the grain corridor and inefficient logistics on alternative routes resulted in high costs that were passed on to producer prices.

President Zelensky wants to expand the grain deal

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to extend the agreement on the export of grain via the Black Sea to ports in the Mykolaiv region. This was stated by Mr. Zelensky during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

It is very important to increase food exports from Odessa and other Ukrainian ports, Zelensky stressed. The objective is to remove all obstacles that limit maritime traffic. The Head of State thanked Denmark for deciding to join the initiative ” Grain from Ukraine ».

This initiative aims to help the countries most affected by the consequences of the Russian invasion on the world food supply. Mr. Zelensky had notably visited with the Danish Prime Minister the seaport of the city of Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine.

With material from AgE

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* Norbert Lehmann has been working as a specialist journalist for more than 25 years. After studying agricultural economics in Bonn, the press and information service Agra-Europe was his first professional step. He made frequent stays in Brussels as a correspondent. Then, activities within the publishing group Handelsblatt, in scientific public relations as well as as a freelancer. Since 2012, he has been working at dlvmost recently as Head of Section Management & Market to the writing ofAGRICULTURAL TODAY.

* Source : Ukraine will harvest half as much grain in 2023 as before the war | agrarheute.com