A Ukrainian ag ministry official said on Monday the country’s grain harvest was likely to drop to around 48.5 MMT this year from 86 MMT last year following Russia’s invasion. He projected wheat production in the 17 MMT to 20 MMT range.
European Union crop monitoring service MARS projected Ukraine’s wheat crop at 26.9 MMT, down 16% from last year’s level. However, MARS said an estimated 22% of wheat production was in zones currently affected by fighting following Russia’s invasion, suggesting production of about 21 MMT in areas away from active combat. MARS said adverse weather, including colder-than-usual spring temps and a lack of rain, would curb yields for winter crops in central and western regions.
MARS projected Ukraine’s 2022 corn crop at 35.3 MMT, down 16% from 2021, and sunflower seed output at 12.1 MMT, down 26%.
