July 2, 2012

Ukraine gathers first million tonnes of grains

Ukraine has reaped early grains and leguminous crops over 606,000 hectares, or 6%, of the 10.3-million hectare estimate, and produced one million tonnes of grains with the average yield of 16.6 c/ha as of June 27, reported the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.

The Ministry noted that as of June 29, 2011, Ukraine produced 0.901 million tonnes of early grains and leguminous crops with the average yield of 28.6 c/ha. At the same time, agrarians harvested the grain volumes throughout the areas of 315,000 hectares (3% of the forecast).

As of the reporting date in 2012, agrarians harvested winter barley throughout 228,000 hectares (30%), and produced 0.414 million tonnes with the average yield of 18.1 c/ha (in 2011 - 28.6 c/ha).

Ukrainestarted harvesting winter wheat, and provided the works throughout 321,000 hectares, and produced 0.527 million tonnes of the grain with the yield at 16.4 c/ha (33.5 c/ha).

Agrarians harvested peas throughout 36,000 hectares, and produced 44.7 thsd tonnes with the yield of 12.4 c/ha (14.4 c/ha). Agrarians harvested winter rapeseed throughout 25,900 hectares, and produced 27.9 thsd tonnes with the yield of 10.8 c/ha.

According to data of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, in 2012 Ukraine expanded the areas under spring grains and leguminous crops by 17.1% compared to last year - to 8.9 million hectares.

In particular, agrarians planted corn for grain throughout 4.6 million hectares, an increase of 3% compared to the forecasted areas, and up nearly 1.2 million hectares compared to 2011. In the current year, millet areas increased by 46,000 hectares compared to the last year results - to 195,000 hectares, buckwheat areas - 272,000 hectares (almost the same level as last year).

In the current year sunflower seed areas exceeded the forecasted level by 3% and totalled 4.2 million hectares. Agrarians planted soy throughout 1.3 million hectares, up 237,000 hectares compared to last year, and up 2% compared to the forecasted areas.

In 2012, the general grain areas (including winter and spring crops) are forecast at the level of 15.9 million hectares, almost the same level as in 2011.