Reduction of Buckwheat Cultivation and Consumption in Ukraine: Assessments and Forecasts
The buckwheat harvesting season is coming to an end in Ukraine – one of the most traditional crops. This year, according to official data, the area under buckwheat has decreased to 79 thousand hectares, while in 2016 it was 137 thousand hectares. Experts emphasize that this indicates serious changes in the production and consumption of this grain.
This is reported by AgroReview
Buckwheat Production: Challenges and Strategic Importance
According to the Executive Director of the International Buckwheat Association, Serhiy Hromovyi, the industry is experiencing a period of stagnation. In practice, this year’s harvest was collected from only 70 thousand hectares, and the quality of some of the grain leaves much to be desired. At the same time, buckwheat remains important for the country: it is profitable, environmentally safe, does not accumulate radionuclides, and can serve as a source of protein in difficult times. However, farmers lack sufficient economic incentives to expand their crops, and state support is virtually absent.
“Buckwheat is a superfood, and there is no need to look for a substitute like quinoa. However, consumption in Ukraine is currently critically low — only about 3 kg per person per year, compared to a norm of 6.8 kg,” noted Hromovyi.
According to the expert’s calculations, based on production and consumption volumes, less than 25 million people currently live in Ukraine. From 80 thousand hectares, approximately 75 thousand tons of grain can be obtained, which, at an average consumption of 3 kg per person, corresponds to about 25 million people.
Impact of Weather Conditions and Seed Situation
This year’s weather conditions have also negatively affected buckwheat yields. A hot summer combined with excessive moisture in the fall led to a decrease in yield to 13 centners per hectare. The main producing regions remain Zhytomyr and Khmelnytskyi oblasts, where the agro-climatic conditions are most favorable. Buckwheat remains a flexible crop — it can be sown a second time after mowing, yielding up to 2 tons per hectare.
A separate problem is the seed material. There are 29 registered varieties of buckwheat in Ukraine, but quality seeds are insufficient. Ukrainian varieties are gradually displacing the Russian ones that previously dominated, but the demand for seed material exceeds the supply. Importing quality seeds from abroad is impossible, as they are simply not produced. Serhiy Hromovyi notes that Ukraine was once the third largest producer of buckwheat in the world, but now it may be surpassed by Poland and Kazakhstan.
Despite all the difficulties, buckwheat cultivation remains profitable: the cost price is 12–15 thousand UAH per hectare, and with a yield of 2 tons per hectare, profitability can reach 200–250%. Even minimal state support, as was the case in 2021 when farmers received 1518 UAH per hectare, immediately stimulates the expansion of crops.
To restore the industry, experts believe it is necessary to establish clear rules, support seed farms, and promote the consumption of buckwheat as a healthy product. Serhiy Hromovyi concludes that currently, buckwheat is being cultivated by enthusiasts who grow it more out of love for the crop than for profit. However, creating favorable conditions could restore buckwheat’s strategic importance for Ukraine.