The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine forecasted some decline in agricultural commodities production in the country in 2015 by 3-4%, compared with 2014, informed the press-service of the Ministry on November 23.
According to the announcement, in October 2015 the Ministry of Economic Development expected for the drop in agricultural production at 5-6% in the current year, but the forecast indices somewhat improved, taking into account the increased volumes of grain production last month.
As of November 1, Ukraine managed to produce the record high volumes during all years of statistical observations – 27.3 mln tonnes for wheat, and 11.1 mln tonnes for sunflower seed, which completely meeted the domestic needs, increased the raw material base for production of foodstuffs (in particular, sunflower oil), and provided rather high export potential, informed the press-service.
Also, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy indicated that as of November 12, winter wheat sprouts appeared throughout 4.1 mln ha, or 62% of the planted areas (89% on the same date last year). Nearly 68% of the wheat sprouts were in good and satisfactory condition, 32% - in weak and thinned condition (83% and 17%, respectively). Nearly 38% of the crops (11%) did not form sprouts at all, due to dry weather conditions in September-October period, which forms the considerable risk of reducing the harvest volumes of winter crops in 2016.
