Shortfall in Ukraine's crop production projected at 5 pct

Ukraine's gross crop production in 2020 will decrease by 5.1% from the previous year. This was informed by Yuri Lupenko, Director of the National Scientific Center Institute of Agrarian Economics, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The largest drop in production volumes is forecast for winter wheat — to 24.2 mln t (-12.5%), corn — to 32.2 mln t (-10.3%), barley — to 8.1 mln t (-8.7%), sorghum — to 175.8 thou. t (-8.2%), and sunflower — to 14.5 mln t (-5.2%).

The harvest of potatoes will remain approximately at the level of 2019 — 20.2 mln t (-0.2%).

As reported, the growth of harvest volumes is expected for peas to 687.4 thou. t (+ 20%), buckwheat up to 96.4 thou. t (+13.3%), rye up to 355.4 thou. t (+6.7%), spring wheat up to 696.8 thou. t (+5.3%).

"Soybean production is expected to increase to 3.9 mln t (+5.9%), sugar beet to 10.4 mln t (+2.4%)," added Yuri Lupenko.

According to him, the production of vegetables will increase by 10.5% from 2019 to 557.3 thou. t, fruit and berry crops to 2.25 mln t (+5.7%), grapes to 377.3 thou. t (+3.5%).

The expert believes that the decline in crop production is mainly related to wintering conditions of crops and lack of moisture as a result of snow shortage.

"The projected volume of crop shortage presents no threat to the domestic food market needs and agricultural exports," summed up Yuri Lupenko.

Previously reported that in January 2020 agriculture production costs in Ukraine declined by 7.2% as compared to the corresponding indicator in 2019.