Sowing Season 2026: Spring Grain Planting Rates Increased by 1.8 Times Over the Week, Yet 10.5% Lower Than Last Year

As of April 6, 2026, agricultural producers in Ukraine have sown 828.3 thousand hectares of spring grains and legumes. This figure represents 14% of the forecasted planting area for the current year, as reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture on Tuesday. Despite a significant increase in planting rates over the past week, which rose by 1.8 times, the current figures still fall short by 10.5% compared to the same period last year.

According to operational statistics, farmers planted 366.9 thousand hectares last week, compared to 281.3 thousand hectares in the previous reporting period. However, when looking back to last year, by April 4, 2025, Ukraine had already sown 926 thousand hectares of spring grains and legumes, which is 97.7 thousand hectares more than the current figures.

The Ministry of Economy noted that, at present, barley has been sown on 420.9 thousand hectares, accounting for 56% of the planned area. Peas have been planted on 186.1 thousand hectares (68%), wheat on 111.1 thousand hectares (60%), and oats on 86.5 thousand hectares (63%). Planting of corn and buckwheat has yet to commence, while the area allocated for millet stands at a mere 0.3 thousand hectares.

In addition, the sowing of technical crops continues in Ukraine, covering 60.7 thousand hectares. Specifically, sunflowers have been sown on 18.3 thousand hectares, which is only 0.4% of the forecast. Soybeans occupy 0.05 thousand hectares (1%), while sugar beets have been planted on 42.3 thousand hectares, comprising 21% of the planned area.

It is important to note that the Ministry of Economy forecasts that the total area for sowing spring grains and legumes in Ukraine in 2026 will reach 6.002 million hectares. The majority of this area will traditionally be allocated to corn, with a planned area of 4.418 million hectares. Among technical crops, 5 million hectares are expected to be designated for sunflowers, 2.04 million hectares for soybeans, and 197.2 thousand hectares for sugar beets.

Thus, while the planting rates for spring grains in 2026 show a positive trend, the overall volume of sowing remains lower than last year's figures. Farmers continue to work diligently to ensure the country's food security, despite the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in contemporary conditions.