Ukraine: Ukrainian grain and oilseed plantings progressing surprisingly well in spite of the war

Ukrainian grain and oilseed plantings progress surprisingly well, in spite of the war, except in the war zones of the Southeast. Spring barley plantings are 0.8 mln ha to-date vs. 1.2 mln ha last year. Last year's barley crop was 9.9 mln tonnes, it is hoped that at least half of that quantity can be collected this year, H. M. Gauger GmbH said in their latest report earlier this month.

Ukraine still has stocks of 22 – 23 mln tonnes of old crop grains, which in normal times would be exported via sea. Without access to seaports, exports must be done by rail, on road, and on the Danube. At present railcars are lining up at the border stations for customs clearance and transshipment.

The EU will allow all grain imports from the Ukraine at zero levy, the neighbour countries offer transshipment installations at the border and the use of their Black Sea and Baltic seaports, but particularly the different rail gauge of the former Soviet Union will slow down border passage too much. Peace is needed, otherwise Ukraine will sit on a mountain of unused grain, the analysts said.