The Ministry of Agrarian Policy predicts this year's harvest of grains and oilseeds at about 74 million tons, UNN reports.
According to preliminary estimates of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, in 2024, gross production of grains and oilseeds will amount to about 74 million tons. Of these, about 52.4 million tons of grains and 21.7 million tons of oilseeds
At the beginning of last year, the total gross harvest of grains and oilseeds for 2023 was also forecast to be almost 13% lower than in the previous period, at 63.5 million tons. "But weather conditions contributed to the increase in harvest. Therefore, in 2023, gross production reached about 82 million tons, of which more than 60 million tons of grains and about 22 million tons of oilseeds," the Ministry of Agrarian Policy said.
"Therefore, the forecasts for gross receipts are preliminary and will be adjusted throughout the year depending on circumstances, primarily weather conditions," the agency said.
It is forecasted that this year farmers will be able to harvest grains in the following volumes: wheat - 19.2 million tons (last year 22.2 million tons were harvested), barley - 4.9 million tons (in 2023 - 5.7 million tons) and corn - 26.7 million tons (30.5 million tons).
Among oilseeds, the volume of soybeans is expected to increase . This crop is expected to produce 5.2 million tons. In 2023, 4.7 million tons were harvested. Production of sunflower is forecasted at 12.4 million tons, last year it was harvested 12.9 million tons. Rapeseed is expected to be harvested at 4.1 million tons, while last year it was harvested at 4.7 million tons.
The planted areas of grains and pulses are forecasted at 10.6 mln ha (-395 thsd ha compared to 2023). Of these, winter wheat was planted on 4.3 mln ha (-0.3 mln ha), while spring wheat is expected to be planted on 0.2 mln ha (+0.2 thou ha). Winter barley was sown on the area of 0.47 mln ha (-0.15 mln ha), the area of spring barley is expected to be 0.94 mln ha (+0.06 mln ha), and corn - 3.9 mln ha (-62 thsd ha).
Among oilseeds, soybean planting areas are increasing. It is expected to be planted on an area of 2.2 million hectares. This is almost 400 thousand hectares more than last year. Sunflower will be planted on almost the same area as last year - 5.3 mln hectares. Rapeseed - on 1.5 million hectares, which is 0.1 million hectares less than last year.