Ukrhydrometcenter Reports: Winter Crops Damage Reaches 12%, Stone Fruits Up to 51%

The condition of winter crops in Ukraine as of the end of March 2023 has become a significant concern, as the Ukrhydrometcenter has reported that damage affecting 12% of the cultivated area will necessitate reseeding or overseeding. The most substantial losses have been observed among stone fruit crops, particularly in certain regions where the loss of flower buds in apricots has reached as high as 51%. This information was disclosed on the official website of the Ukrhydrometcenter.

According to the report, as of March 31, winter crops have resumed vegetation across the entire territory of Ukraine. Early sown spring crops have already shown signs of germination and seedling formation, indicating positive trends within the agricultural sector.

The report highlights that based on the results of spring inspections of winter crop sowings conducted by meteorological stations, most areas are in good to excellent condition. However, the total area of winter crops that will require reseeding or overseeding may amount to approximately 12% of the total sown area. This indicates that farmers should be prepared for potential difficulties in cultivation.

Data obtained during the inspection of fruit crops in the first half of March revealed that the loss of flower buds in apricots in Kyiv and Kherson regions ranged from 13% to 33%, while in Mykolaiv, this figure reached 51%. Meanwhile, the loss of flower buds in cherries in Chernihiv, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions ranged from 2% to 15%, and the loss in sweet cherries was up to 14-16%. According to the hydrometeorological centers, the loss of apple buds ranged from 3% to 14%. Fortunately, no damage was detected in peaches, plums, pears, and grapes, which may indicate their resilience to adverse weather conditions.

The agency also noted that adequate warming and optimal moisture levels in the upper soil layers in southern and certain areas of western regions have allowed for the early sowing of spring grains and legumes, starting as early as mid-March. This is a positive sign for farmers who are eager to achieve a good harvest this year.

Observations indicated that the temperature of the 10-cm soil layer fluctuated between +7-15°C, which enabled timely sowing of all early agricultural crops. Despite the lack of precipitation in March, the upper soil layer remained well-moistened in most areas. Only in certain plots in the southern, western, and Dnipropetrovsk regions was there weak moisture, and in some places, dryness was even observed. The reserves of productive moisture under winter crops at the end of March were mostly within the norm, except for certain areas in the south and Vinnytsia region.

It is worth noting that March of this year was the driest since 1991, leading to a rapid loss of moisture. The low relative humidity of the air also became an unfavorable factor, as it dropped to 30% and below during the month. Combined with moderate winds, this could lead to the emergence of dry winds. Given the precipitation deficit, favorable conditions for the development of drought phenomena may arise in the near future, raising additional concerns among farmers.