Buckwheat Cultivation Has Become Unprofitable for Farmers Due to Low Yields and Prices

This is reported by AgroReview

Ukrainian farmers are facing unprofitability in buckwheat cultivation due to low yields and falling prices for this crop. Currently, buckwheat plantings are decreasing, and the economic viability of its cultivation is in question.

Challenges in Buckwheat Cultivation: Climate Change and Economic Factors

Farmer Vasyl Burlaka from the Poltava region notes that he has been planting buckwheat for seven years, but it has now become unprofitable. According to the farmer, the rising costs of land rent, fuel prices, and other expenses, combined with low yields, make it difficult to operate. Climate change, particularly persistent droughts, has negatively impacted buckwheat yields, and the market price for the crop has significantly decreased.

“I had about 40 tons of buckwheat, and it sat for three years. Nobody wanted it. So why should I even bother with it?” — commented the farmer.

Reduction in Planting Areas and Regional Characteristics

Oleg Tryhub, head of the buckwheat sector at the Ustymivska Research Station, reported that the area planted with buckwheat in Ukraine is decreasing every year. In 2023–2024, farmers planted over 100,000 hectares, while in 2025, this figure dropped to approximately 80,000 hectares. The largest areas of buckwheat last year were concentrated in the Rivne and Zhytomyr regions.