Ukrainian agricultural holdings are revising their crop structure in 2026 by increasing corn acreage while reducing sunflower or soybean plantings. These decisions are driven by a combination of weather conditions, crop rotation requirements, and market factors, according to ProAgro Group.
In particular, Continental Farmers Group did not initially plan significant changes to its crop structure this season. However, due to weather conditions the company was unable to sow around 10,000 hectares of winter wheat, so these areas will be reallocated to spring crops, primarily corn.
According to the company’s COO Kostiantyn Shytiuk, soybean acreage decreased by about 8% compared with 2025, to 45,500 hectares. At the same time, sunflower plantings increased by 28.7% to 20,200 hectares, while corn acreage expanded by 40.4%.
The Agreyn Group is also significantly increasing corn acreage. The company’s spring crop area expanded to 33,000 hectares, up 23% year-on-year. Corn will occupy more than 25,000 hectares, nearly twice as much as in the previous season. Meanwhile, sunflower acreage declined by almost 39% to 8,000 hectares, and the crop has been completely removed from rotation in Odesa region.
According to Agreyn’s chief agronomist Taras Korniienko, changes in the crop structure are linked to market priorities, including growing demand for corn, as well as agronomic considerations such as yield stability, moisture availability, and proper crop rotation.
HarvEast also plans to expand corn acreage to 10,500 hectares, which is 1,500 hectares more than last year. At the same time, sunflower plantings will be reduced to 6,000 hectares. Chief agronomist Petro Kravchuk noted that the decision is primarily related to crop rotation requirements.
In the northern cluster of Epicentr Agro, corn acreage is expected to increase by about 40%. Cluster agronomy head Dmytro Franchuk explained that corn provides consistently high yields and relatively low production costs, making it economically attractive. In 2026, the cluster will temporarily suspend sunflower cultivation to allow soils to recover.
Earlier it was reported that Agrotrade Group presented its crop structure for the 2026 season based on weather conditions, previous results, crop rotation requirements, and crop profitability, focusing primarily on sunflower and corn.
Source: Latifundist.com
