December 21, 2011

Ukrainian winter grain plantings increase by 3.8%

Ukraine's winter grains such as wheat, barley and rye are planted in 39 million hectares (20.7 million acres) of land, up 3.8% compared to last year.

According to the country's statistics agency, the area planted with winter wheat increased 2.4% to 6.71 million hectares, while winter barley sowing climbed 10% to 1.37 million hectares, the Kiev-based office said. Winter rapeseed has been planted on 961,600 hectares, 11% less than a year earlier.

About 27% of winter grains, or 1.69 million hectares, were in good condition as of December 15, according to the Agriculture Ministry's data. Satisfactory winter grains were found on 39% of the area and weak plants on 34%.

Winter grains failed to emerge on 1.9 million hectares, the ministry said. Winter rapeseed sprouted on 79% of areas.