Ukrainian farmers are expected to sow 5.2 million hectares of winter wheat for the 2026 harvest—the forecast has been increased by 9%

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine has raised the forecast for the area under winter wheat sowing for the 2026 harvest by 9%. This is reported by UkrAgroConsult, citing Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Vysotskyi. He emphasized that this decision opens up prospects for increasing exports, which is necessary to support the economy and finance the defense against Russian aggression. According to the new estimates, at least 5.2 million hectares will be allocated for winter wheat, while the previous forecast remained at 4.78 million hectares—similar to this year's area. These data do not include spring wheat sowing, which usually occupies about 200 thousand hectares. Vysotskyi noted that the increase in sowing is due to a reduction in corn and sunflower, which were severely affected by drought this year. "I think producers will draw conclusions after this year's situation. In the southern regions, farmers may decide not to sow sunflower and corn, preferring winter wheat," he explained. ...