September rains boost Ukraine’s winter crop sowing prospects

Late September rains brought much-needed relief to Ukraine’s agricultural sector, significantly improving conditions for winter crop sowing. The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center reported that as of September 30, soil moisture levels in most arable areas were satisfactory or sufficient for planting. This marked a sharp turnaround from the start of the month, when drought conditions had made field preparations difficult across much of the country.

The final ten days of September saw widespread rainfall, replenishing soil moisture and creating better conditions for sowing and early growth of winter crops. However, some regions, particularly parts of Odesa, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Lviv, and Zakarpattia, remained dry, leaving farmers there with unfavorable conditions for planting and autumn vegetation.

Overall, September was warmer than usual, with average temperatures slightly above normal. The dry weather in the first half of the month aided in the harvesting of late and industrial crops, as well as the drying of sunflower seed and corn. The later rains, though, boosted prospects for the autumn sowing campaign, setting the stage for the 2027 harvest.