Sunflower harvesting continues in Ukraine and as of October 20, 2022, 68% of the areas in the territories controlled by Ukraine have already been harvested. According to preliminary estimates, Ukrainian agrarians will be able to harvest 10.5 mln tonnes of oilseeds, which is 30% less than the annual average for the last 3 years.
The decrease in the gross harvest was due to both the sown areas and the yield, according to ProAgro Group with reference to the information of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club.
Thus, the acreage under sunflower this year decreased by 26% to 4.7 million hectares compared to the average for the last 3 years due to the temporary occupation of part of the territories of Ukraine, as well as the impossibility of carrying out economic activities in part of the territories that were liberated or are located near the territories of hostilities. As for the yield, according to preliminary estimates, the average yield is 22.4 c/ha, which is 5% lower than the average for the last 3 years.
“In general, 2022/23 MY is difficult for Ukrainian producers of sunflower seeds not only because of the war and financial difficulties (low price for products and problems with sales due to the restriction of sunflower oil exports), but also because of the difficult conditions during the harvesting. Prolonged rains in autumn delayed the harvest of sunflower seeds and partially worsened the quality of seeds. However, the grown volumes will be enough to meet both domestic needs and partially for the foreign market”, – noted in UCAB.
