GE soybeans production in Ukraine may reach 65% — USDA
Industry rumours in Ukraine suggest that 50-65% of soybeans, 10-12% of rapeseed and less than one percent of corn produced for export test positive for GE events, a USDA report reads.
"There is no legitimate commercial production of GE crops in Ukraine. However, positive test results for corn, rapeseed and soybeans at export facilities indicate that there is GE crop production in Ukraine," Department specialists comment.
In 2018, a report by a Romanian NGO confirmed the presence of GE soybean plantings in the Ukrainian regions of Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Kirovograd, Zhytomyr and Vinnytsya.
As reported by the USDA, over the last few years, the share of production of GE soybeans is believed to have remained stable. However, it is difficult to accurately estimate the volume of GE production in Ukraine. Usually GE soy (as well as other GE crop) estimates are based on tests completed at port silos in order to ensure compliance of a shipment with the requirements of the importing country.
"Thus, these likely do not fully reflect GE crop production for the whole Ukrainian market," the report reads.
Infographic guide Ukrainian Agribusiness 2019/20
The same rationale is applicable for growing GE rapeseed. Industry sources suggest that the economy on GE varieties could be around USD 70 per hectare due to fewer herbicide sprayings compared to herbicide requirements with conventional seed. Sources suggest that this rapeseed variety may be a Roundup Ready Canola variety. However, some rapeseed shipments may test false-positive for GE due to inadequate cleaning of vehicles used for the transport of other crops. Industry sources indicate that the actual volume of GE rapeseed production may be closer to two to three percent.
Illicit production of GE corn is believed to be minimal, primarily due to limited access to smuggled seed that needs to be refreshed annually. Additionally, significant productivity improvements in conventional hybrids, supplied by both multinational companies and local seed producers, have lessened the demand for GE corn seed.
Earlier reported that as of November 30 agriproducers in Ukraine harvested 80.9 mln t of main crops on 23.8 mln ha, of which grains and legumes total 62.5 mln t harvested on 15 mln ha, making up 98% of the planned areas.