Ukrainian farmers complete sowing: less sunflower, more soybeans — contrary to analysts' forecasts

As of June 5, 2025, spring sowing operations are being completed in Ukraine. In total , 5.583 million hectares have been sown with spring grain and leguminous crops, which is 98% of the planned area (for comparison: 5.6 million hectares on this date in 2024).

Despite warm and dry weather last week, the pace of corn and sunflower sowing has not accelerated . Some farmers decided not to risk late sowing dates and redirected their areas to soybeans , which are better adapted to later sowing.

Current sown areas (compared to last year):

• Wheat — 219.4 thousand hectares (96%) versus 252.7 thousand hectares

• Barley — 748.7 thousand hectares (96%) versus 783 thousand hectares

• Peas — 212 thousand hectares (98%) versus 162.5 thousand hectares

• Oats — 158.6 thousand hectares (98%) versus 163.7 thousand hectares

• Corn — 4 million hectares (99%) versus 3.93 million hectares

• Buckwheat — 76.3 thousand hectares (86%) versus 100.8 thousand hectares

• Millet — 68.9 thousand hectares (90%) versus 69.7 thousand hectares

Late cultures:

• Sunflower — 4.932 million hectares (97%) versus 5.19 million hectares

• Soybean — 2.33 million hectares (97%) versus 2.03 million hectares

• Sugar beets — 217.7 thousand hectares (99%) versus 250.1 thousand hectares
  (the largest is in Vinnytsia region: 50.5 thousand hectares)

Farmers reduced the area under sunflower and spring wheat , although growth was expected due to the high profitability of these crops in the previous season. In particular:

• Spring wheat : –15% compared to last year

• Spring barley : –4.6%

• Peas : +30%

• Soybean : +15% — contrary to forecasts that predicted a decrease due to low world prices

The main reason was the prolonged spring drought , which shifted the sowing dates. Due to delays in sowing in May-June, farmers preferred soybeans and buckwheat , which tolerate late sowing dates better.