The spring sowing campaign in Ukraine has started within the usual seasonal timeframe and has already covered 17 regions. As of the end of March, farmers have sown nearly 200 thousand hectares. Traditionally, farms in the southern regions were the first to begin, sowing spring barley, peas, and oats, ProAgro Group reports.
According to Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Vysotskyi, this year’s sowing campaign will cover about 16 million hectares, and the initial stage is not large-scale, which helps minimize risks even in the event of short-term cold spells.
“The spring sowing campaign has started on schedule and is proceeding according to farmers’ plans. The initial stage traditionally includes crops that are resistant to weather fluctuations, so even possible frosts do not pose critical risks,” Vysotskyi noted.
At the same time, he emphasized key challenges of the season — a significant increase in fuel costs and a 30–35% rise in mineral fertilizer prices, which creates additional financial pressure on farmers. The state is coordinating the situation to ensure the availability of necessary resources for the campaign.
Another factor remains the security situation in frontline regions, where farmers operate under the threat of drone attacks, using electronic warfare systems and other protection tools.
The Deputy Minister also drew attention to the buckwheat market, which is a socially important product. He explained the increase in retail prices by a smaller harvest last year and a seasonal decline in stocks.
“The rise in buckwheat prices is seasonal and cyclical. At the same time, there is no physical shortage — the product is available on the market. We expect the situation to stabilize with the new harvest,” he said.
According to forecasts, in 2026 farmers will increase the area under buckwheat by 15–20%, which will allow covering nearly 95% of domestic consumption and avoiding shortages.
As reported, in 2026 Ukrainian farmers plan to maintain the total area under grains and oilseeds at 21.2 million hectares. Wheat and barley may show growth, while corn may slightly decrease in area.
