Ukraine Crop Prospects Declining

Posted by Nogger - a legend in his own mind at 12:42 | Categorized as

05/04/11 -- Crop production prospects in Ukraine are declining with UkrAgroConsult cutting their estimates for wheat, corn, barley and rapeseed.

The late arrival of winter has delayed spring plantings, which are currently around a third done according to the Ag Ministry there.

Wheat production is now seen at 20.5 MMT say UkrAgroConsult, down from their previous forecast of 21.3 MMT, although still a 19% increase on last season's drought-ravaged crop.

Corn production is estimated at 11.9 MMT, from 12.4 MMT previously, an 8% increase on last year. Barley output is seen at 9.8 MMT, 0.9 MMT below their previous forecast but 1 MMT above last season.

Rapeseed production this year will amount to 1.8 MMT, they say, down 300,000 MT from earlier forecasts but 300,000 MT ahead of last year.