Due to the uncertainty regarding the further functioning of the "grain agreement", Ukrainian farmers are switching to cultivation of oilseed crops as an alternative to grains, the First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky said.
According to him, Ukrainian farmers prefer to plant rapeseed, sunflower seed and soybean.
"This year, it would be possible to plant a million ha with rapeseed. The area will roughly correspond to last year's, despite the occupation of part of the country. Rapeseed has already been planted on 70% of the area, which indicates that farmers prefer oilseeds", – T. Vysotsky said.
At the same time, the ministry predicts a reduction of the planted areas under winter grain crops by 25-35% this year. First of all, they expect the area under wheat and barley to be cut, while the area of rye will stay virtually unchanged.
"Due to the blockade of the ports, there are still stocks of last year's crops of winter and barley", – T. Vysotsky said.
