Drought in southern and eastern Ukraine delays winter rapeseed sowing and reduces yield potential of late crops, but favorable conditions remain in the US and EU

In the second decade of August, heterogeneous agrometeorological conditions developed in Ukraine, which significantly affected agricultural crops, the Ukrhydrometeorological Center reports in its 10-day report.

According to meteorologists, in most areas of the southern, eastern and some areas of the central regions of Ukraine, soil drought was deepening and due to the lack of moisture in the soil (in some areas there was no rain for more than 3 months), winter rapeseed was not sown, the optimal period for which ends on August 25 - September 10. Weather forecasts for the next 7-10 days do not promise precipitation in these regions.

In some areas of the southern, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the amount of precipitation during the summer did not exceed 6-43 mm (5-25% of the norm). Both in the upper and deep layers of the soil, moisture reserves were almost exhausted, and against the background of high air and soil temperatures, the growth of late crops ended prematurely.

At the same time, in the western regions of Ukraine, agrometeorological conditions were quite satisfactory for the completion of the vegetation of late crops and sowing of winter rapeseed (thanks to sufficient moisture supply).

This week, the southeastern part of Ukraine has been experiencing hot weather of 30-35 degrees, while a cyclone from Europe has brought cool weather with precipitation to the western and northern regions.

In the south-west of the Russian Federation (Kuban, Stavropol) in August, dry and hot conditions also prevailed, which continued to reduce the potential of the sunflower and corn harvest, and the forecasts for the next week do not promise precipitation. Soil moisture reserves are not sufficient to start sowing winter rapeseed and wheat.

A cyclone has brought cool weather to most of Europe this week, with heavy rainfall expected to continue into next week, with the exception of eastern and southern regions. The rains will help late crops to sprout and replenish soil moisture ahead of winter crop planting.

A new cyclone brought cool air and good precipitation to the Midwest and Plains of the United States, excluding the southern and eastern regions, this week, and similar weather is forecast for next week. The weather in the United States remains very favorable for the development of late crops and winter sowing due to fairly abundant precipitation and the absence of heat.

The Canadian prairies have been experiencing dry and warm weather this week, which will continue through the end of the week. Then a cooler but rainless climate will set in, allowing for faster harvests for wheat, canola and peas, and for corn and soybeans to mature.

Recent rainfall in southern Brazil has helped wheat to fill and build up moisture ahead of soybean planting (which will begin in September), and more rainfall is forecast for the south next week. But traders are concerned about when the rainy season will begin in central Brazil.