Ukraine's Spring Sowing Campaign Progress
As of April 28, Ukrainian farmers had planted 1,698,400 hectares with grains and legumes, nearly one-third of the projected area, according to the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture. The fastest sowing rates are reported in Odesa, Poltava, Kyiv, Ternopil, and Rivne oblasts. This data reflects the country's agricultural resilience amid ongoing challenges.
In Odesa Oblast, 177,000 hectares were sown, including:
- wheat - 10,000 ha
- barley - 35,000 ha
- peas - 95,000 ha
- oats - 1,200 ha
- corn - 6,700 ha
Poltava Oblast planted 153,700 hectares, among them:
- wheat - 4,900 ha
- barley - 65,100 ha
- peas - 12,100 ha
- oats - 1,900 ha
- corn - 69,700 ha
Kyiv Oblast sowed 141,500 hectares, including:
- wheat - 25,600 ha
- barley - 39,000 ha
- peas - 5,500 ha
- oats - 6,000 ha
- corn - 65,300 ha
Ternopil Oblast covered 108,200 hectares, with:
- wheat - 13,300 ha
- barley - 58,400 ha
- peas - 4,100 ha
- oats - 4,600 ha
- corn - 26,500 ha
Nationally, the total sown area for key spring crops includes:
- spring wheat - 172,400 ha
- spring barley - 668,600 ha
- peas - 248,200 ha
- oats - 129,800 ha
- corn - 437,400 ha
- millet - 2,100 ha
Buckwheat sowing has started in Kharkiv Oblast, covering just 10 hectares.
Industrial Crops and Forecasts
For industrial crops, sugar beets have been planted on 162,800 hectares, reaching 83% of the forecast. Sunflowers cover 636,000 hectares, or 13% of the target, while soybeans account for only 93,400 hectares, just 5% of the planned area.
The overall forecast for spring crop area in 2026 stands at 22–22.5 million hectares. In the previous season, Ukraine harvested nearly 20 million tons of grain, with Odesa, Kirovohrad, and Poltava regions leading in yield.
The progress of Ukraine's sowing campaign highlights the activity of the agricultural sector despite the country's current challenges. High sowing rates in key regions may indicate farmers' readiness to adapt to market conditions and maintain food security. The projected spring crop area underscores this campaign's significance for the nation's agricultural economy in the coming years.