As of 17 April, Ukrainian farmers had planted 22% of the planned area for spring grains and pulses, covering 1.25 MHA, according to data from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy. While this lags behind last year’s pace of 34.9% (nearly 2 MHA), it is in line with the multi-year average, as 2024 marked one of the earliest sowing campaigns on record.

Barley leads the sowing progress, with 85% of the planned area sown (656 KHA), slightly behind last year’s 90% (742 KHA) at the same date. Wheat sowing has reached 75% (169 KHA), compared to 118% (205 KHA) in 2024. However, it’s important to note that the 118% figure was based on operational data as of 18 April, 2024, when the Ministry of Agrarian Policy forecasted 246 KHA. This was later revised to 174 KHA by the end of the campaign, underscoring the volatility of in-season estimates.

Other crops are progressing at a slower pace. Peas have reached 87% of the forecasted area (189 KHA), and oats stand at 86.5% (140 KHA). In contrast, corn sowing has barely started, with only 1.7% (69.5 KHA) completed, while sunflower planting is at 5% (244 KHA), significantly down from nearly 29% at this point last year.

Soybean sowing is also lagging, with just 0.7% of the expected area planted, compared to 4.4% in 2024. Overall, sowing of industrial crops has reached 6.5% (479 KHA) of the Ministry’s forecasted area.

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