Ukrainian farmers work in difficult martial law conditions. Currently, weather conditions have become another challenge for the agricultural sector. Soil drought or insufficient precipitations are observed in the most of the territory of Ukraine. This led to the deterioration of agricultural crops condition, especially corn.

Inadequate soil moisture, due to the lack of precipitation and the highest temperatures during the summer months, caused the deterioration of the conditions for the formation of the crop, which can decrease by 20-40%, depending on the region. This is evidenced by a survey of farmers participating in the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC).

There is a catastrophic lack of moisture in Vinnytsia region. Andriy Kapritsa, head of “Flora A.A.” AE, which is engaged in growing grain and oil crops, says:

"For a long time, the drought is strongly reflected in corn and sunflower crops. Due to insufficient soil moisture, we cannot start sowing winter rapeseed. There is a catastrophic lack of moisture, there has been no rain in our fields for more than a month. It can be predicted that the reduction of corn and sunflower harvest will amount to at least 30%, in some areas - 40%. We usually sow rapeseed at the end of August, but due to weather conditions, we are forced to postpone sowing campaign for an indefinite period, depending on the rainfall."

The situation is difficult in Kirovohrad region, shortage of rain has been felt in some areas since November 2021. Vitalii Poida, the head of "Peremoha" PAE: "Problems with precipitation have been going on since last year. There was no precipitation in March, 12 mm in May, 8 mm in June, 6 mm in July, and 5 mm in August. We had the last normal rains in November, and from November up to now, only 152 mm of rain. For early cereals, crop losses are up to 50%. Wheat was harvested at 3.8 tons per hectare, although in previous years an average of 6-7 tons per hectare was harvested. Late-group cultures, in particular, corn and sunflower, are in unsatisfactory condition, but corn has not reached a critical point. We plan to sow rapeseed with hopes for the forecasted rainfall. We are also preparing equipment for the harvest of late crops in the hope that there will be rains and the condition of the plants will improve."

In Cherkasy region, the situation with precipitation is better, but there is a lack of moisture for the normal development of certain types of agricultural crops of the late group. Oleksandr Popeliukh, head of “Dukra Agro” LLC noted:

"The precipitation that fell in Uman district of Cherkasy region is not enough for the development of late crops, in particular, corn and sugar beets, as well as for sowing winter rapeseed. In August, there was 12 mm of precipitation, which will have a negative impact on the yield. We expect that the harvest of corn and sugar beets will decrease by 20%, sunflower crops are in better condition. Sowing rapeseed is currently risky due to lack of moisture, but we will not postpone sowing, we are hoping for rains."

In Kyiv region, in some places, farmers also feel a lack of moisture for the development of late-group cultures, despite the fact that precipitation falls in the region. "The drought has already had a negative impact on wheat, the crops have partially "burned" and this has affected the results of the harvest. Currently, it can be noted that there was a lack of moisture for the full-fledged development of late-group cultures," noted Oleksandr Shyrokostup, Head of the “Shyrokostup” AE.

The worst situation with moisture is in Odesa region: in some areas there has been no rain for more than three months, accordingly, the yield reduction may exceed 60%. Hennadiy Floria, head of "Maks Agro" PE, said:

"We are preparing to harvest sunflowers and corn. According to our expectations, the harvest will decrease by three times because of the drought, because there was no rain in our fields for three months. Sowing of early crops usually starts at the end of August or the beginning of September - this is the time for sowing winter crops: rapeseed, wheat, barley. But today there is no precipitation in our region and it is not expected. That means, autumn sowing is in question due to the weather and a number of economic factors."

The UAC Press Service