According to the Agriculture Ministry, wheat planted area for the 2017 crop will remain at the previous year’s level – 6198 thousand ha. Last year winter wheat acreage was significantly lower than many-year average, which is nearly 6700 thousand ha.
Given the last year’s considerable area reduction, it would be logical to expect at least partial recovery of the acreage, but for weather obstacles. Like last year, wheat sowing period was accompanied by drought.
The first estimate is based on a supposition that wheat planted area will remain at last year’s level of 6.3-6.4 Million ha, as well as winter losses.
Analysts expect that after a significant reduction in 2015, population decrease in Ukraine has slowed down considerably. Food consumption of wheat is likely to remain relatively stable in the coming season. A slight increase in processing and further flour and groats export is also possible.
Meanwhile, feed consumption may decrease due to continuing reduction of livestock and poultry inventory. (UkrAgroConsult/Business World Magazine)
