Ukraine's economy ministry downgrades 2020 grain harvest forecast to 70M tonnes

One of the reasons for the decrease in the forecast is the weather conditions recorded over the past few weeks, which have caused either the loss of potential corn yields or their significant decrease.

"If the autumn weather conditions are favorable, the corn harvest is expected at 35 million tonnes and the total grain harvest at 70 million tonnes," Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky said.

The largest losses of potential corn harvest in terms of the area were recorded in the Cherkasy region (133,800 hectares), the Odesa region (33,500 hectares) and the Kirovohrad region (21,300 hectares). At the same time, a significant decrease in yield was reported in the Cherkasy region (234,000 hectares), the Kirovohrad region (146,700 hectares) and the Poltava region (120,500 hectares). In general, the estimated loss of corn harvest, according to the ministry, may amount to about two million tonnes.

The Ukrainian Grain Association earlier forecast that in the 2020/2021 marketing year, Ukraine may receive a record harvest of grain and oilseeds in the amount of 100 million tonnes and exports of these crops may reach 61 million tonnes.

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