Ukraine plants one-third of planned winter rapeseed area, sharp decline expected in Odesa region

Ukraine has begun sowing winter crops for the 2026 harvest. As of September 1, winter rapeseed was planted on 377,100 hectares, covering 33.8% of the projected area, ASAP Agri reported.

After a slow start, sowing accelerated last week and has now reached last year’s pace, when 377,200 hectares (32%) had been planted by the same date.

Analysts forecast the total winter rapeseed area at 1.11 million hectares, slightly below last year’s 1.18 million hectares.

“In regional terms, the forecast points to a sharp decline in Odesa region, although last year local farmers more than doubled initial expectations. Expansion is expected in Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions, though weather risks remain: in 2024, drought significantly limited sowing in Dnipropetrovsk region,” the report said.

Sowing of winter grains has not yet begun and is expected in the coming weeks. Last year, the campaign started in late August.