Rapeseed
The autumn agro-meteorological conditions were not very favorable for planting and initial growth of winter rape. Due to dry weather, early-sown rape failed to emerge in some fields and farmers had to reseed them. According to preliminary information, winter rape was planted on a total area of some 891 Th ha and emerged on 858 Th ha (96.3%).
On December 25, 47.5% of winter rape crops were in good condition, 32.9% is satisfactory condition, and 19.6% were weak and sparse.
Experts forecast rapeseed yield to average 2.1 MT/ha. The total harvest of winter rapeseed is expected at 1.68 MMT.
Sunseed
As before, sunflower continues to be the intrigue of the 2015 harvest. Sunflower acreage forecasts of market players vary within a wide range. Growers preliminarily plan to sow 4.55 Ml ha of sunflower in 2015 against 5.15 Ml ha in 2014. Traders’ forecasts differ quite widely from 5 to 5.7 Ml ha.
Experts forecast that sunflower plantings will remain actually unchanged from 2014. This crop’s average yield will also be somewhat lower than last year: 1.93 MT/ha against 1.99 MT/ha in 2014.
Soybeans
The only oilseed crop whose planted area expands in Ukraine from year to year is soy. Experts forecast that this crop’s plantings for 2015 will increase to 1.85 - 1.9 Ml ha.
The main factors contributing to the expansion of soy planted acreage are as follows:
- high profitability;
- strong domestic and export demand;
- favorable agro-climatic conditions etc.
With an average yield of some 1.98 MT/ha, farmers may harvest more than 3.6 MMT of soybeans.
Linseed
No significant changes are expected in Ukrainian linseed production in 2015. Experts forecast flax plantings at a total of 27 Th ha. With an average yield of 0.8 MT/ha, the harvest would be at most 21 KMT.
Source - http://www.blackseagrain.net
