Ukraine Grain Harvest Accelerates, but Exports Lag Behind

Grain harvest in Ukraine has accelerated, but exports remain lower than last year. As of September 28, grain and leguminous crops have been harvested from 7.114 million hectares, or 61% of the planned area. The total threshing is 34.31 million tons with an average yield of 48.2 centners/hectare.

For comparison, as of September 25 last year, 7.214 million hectares were harvested, or 63% of the forecast, and the gross harvest was 30.423 million tons with an average yield of 42.2 centners/hectare.

The oilseed harvest is also accelerating, with sunflower threshed at 3.362 million tons from 1.657 million hectares, or 32% of the area, with a yield of 20.3 centners/hectare. Soybeans were harvested at 1.215 million tons from 571 thousand hectares, or 36%, with a yield of 21.3 centners/hectare.

Grain exports remain below last year's pace, with Ukraine exporting 5.016 million tons as of September 28. This is compared to 6.556 million tons at the same time last year. Wheat and barley exports are significantly lagging behind last year's pace, while corn shipments are more than double the previous season's figure.