January 18, 2011

Ukrainian winter grains increase with good condition

Ukrainian winter grains that were considered in good condition increased since the previous month, the country's agriculture ministry said.

Some 56.2% of plants were classified as "good" as of January 13, from 55.9% two weeks earlier, the Kiev-based department said today in a statement on its website. The total planted area was 8.09 million hectares (19.97 million acres)

Grains in satisfactory condition fell to 37.2% of the planted area, from 37.6% as of December 28, according to the statement. Plants in weak condition were 6.6% compared with 6.5% previously.

Some 57.4% of winter wheat, which makes up about half the country's grain crop, was classified as good, and 36.3% satisfactory, the ministry said. Weak plants were observed on 6.3% of the planted area, it added.