Grain Sowing Areas in Ukraine Will Decrease by 4% in 2026
The Ukrainian agricultural sector is preparing for a challenging sowing season in 2026. According to preliminary estimates by analysts, the area planted with grain crops will decrease by 4% compared to last year, totaling approximately 11.5 million hectares.
This is reported by AgroReview
Impact of Weather Conditions on Wheat and Barley Yields
Wheat, traditionally considered Ukraine’s main cereal crop, may lose about 5% of its sown area. Experts predict that it will cover just under 5 million hectares. The primary reason for this reduction is unfavorable weather conditions: unstable weather was observed during the autumn sowing of winter crops, and winter frosts in January and February could significantly affect the condition of winter crops.
“The main reason for this ‘contraction’ has been the whims of nature. During the sowing of winter crops in the autumn, the weather was far from ideal, and the January and February frosts, against the backdrop of temperature swings, could have severely damaged the winter crop area.”
Barley is under even greater pressure — it is expected that its area will decrease by a record 21%, down to 1.1 million hectares. This reflects the caution of farmers who are not willing to risk this crop due to its vulnerability to weather changes observed in recent months.
Increase in Corn Areas
Against the backdrop of decreasing areas for other grains, corn is showing positive dynamics. It is forecasted that its sowings will increase by 3%, reaching 4.7 million hectares. This is attributed to stable demand for corn and its economic appeal — farmers prefer a crop that has fewer weather risks compared to winter crops.
In the coming months, the spring field campaign will begin, which will reveal whether the increase in corn sowings can compensate for the losses in wheat and barley yields. For consumers, this means that the country’s food balance will again come under scrutiny, and grain prices will remain sensitive to every new report on the state of the crops.