Frost and drought hit grain and oilseed crops in southern Ukraine, forecasters say

Weather conditions in early May were mostly satisfactory for Ukrainian grain fields, but frost and drought in southern regions have damaged or killed some winter wheat, peas, rapeseed and barley crops, state weather forecasters said on Tuesday. APK-Inform agriculture consultancy quoted forecasters as saying that frost on the soil surface and in the air was a “dangerous phenomenon” that caused damage to fruit, vegetables and vineyards, as well as winter rapeseed and spring barley crops. “As a result of prolonged drought and its combination with frequent and prolonged frosts, significant damage or drying of winter wheat crops was observed in some areas of southern regions, in some places up to 40% of areas,” forecasters said. Forecasters noted that peas and winter barley crops were significantly damaged or killed in the southern Kherson region. Strong and prolonged frosts followed by unusually high temperatures and a lack of precipitation in April all had a negative impact on ...