In the Zaporizhzhia region, this year’s sunflower yield decreased by 6.9 c/ha compared to last year.

According to Valentina Kramarenko, director of the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration (OVA), sunflowers were harvested from an area of 99.9 thousand hectares, the total gross yield is 97.7 thousand tons. The average yield is only 9.8 c/ha, according to “Ukrinform”.

“This is minus 6.9 centners. The reason is drought. There was little snow in winter, the soil did not accumulate moisture, and there was no rain. The sunflowers grew low, knee-high, and the heads were like daisies. It didn’t ripen fully and was in poor condition,” Kramarenko noted.

Due to difficult weather conditions, the government is considering the possibility of declaring certain territories as high-risk farming zones — to support farmers who have suffered not only from the war but also from climate challenges.

Separately, the department reported that due to the worsening security situation, agricultural producers in Vasylivka district were unable to conduct the autumn sowing campaign for the 2026 harvest.

“We are currently clarifying what area we will be able to sow. The front line is dynamic, so the exact data will be available later,” the official added.